Modified hookworm neutrophil inhibitors

ABSTRACT

Compositions enriched for Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor which inhibit neutrophil activity including adhesion to vascular endothelial cells are provided. Also provided are recombinant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factors which also which inhibit neutrophil activity. Such compositions may comprise a glycoprotein isolated from nematodes. These compositions and recombinant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factors are useful in the therapy of conditions which involve abnormal or undesired inflammatory responses.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 08/173,510, filed Dec. 23, 1993, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/151,064, filed Nov. 10, 1993, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/060,433, filed May 11, 1993, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/996,972, filed Dec. 24, 1992, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/881,721, filed May 11, 1992, abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to factors which interact with CD11b/CD18 ingegrin complex or the I-domain portion of CD11b/CD18 integrin complex and inhibit leukocyte activity. These factors inhibit neutrophil activity, including inhibition of neutrophil activation and adhesion of neutrophils to vascular endothelial cells. These factors also inhibit eosinophil activity, including inhibition of eosinophil adhesion to vascular endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Leukocytes are a class of cells comprised of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes. The lymphocytes include within their class, T-cells (as helper T-cells and cytotoxic or suppressor T-cell), B-cells (as circulating B-cells and plasma cells), third population or natural killer (NK) cells and antigen-presenting cells. Monocytes include within their class, circulating blood monocytes, Kupffer cells, intraglomerular mesangial cells, alveolar macrophages, serosal macrophages, microglia, spleen sinus macrophages and lymph node sinus macrophages. Granulocytes include within their class, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, (as mucosa-associated mast cells and connective tissue mast cells).

Neutrophils are an essential component of the host defense system against microbial invasion. In response to soluble inflammatory mediators released by cells at the site of injury, neutrophils emigrate into tissue from the bloodstream by crossing the blood vessel wall. At the site of injury, activated neutrophils kill foreign cells by phagocytosis and by the release of cytotoxic compounds, such as oxidants, proteases and cytokines. Despite their, importance in fighting infection, neutrophils themselves can promote tissue damage. During an abnormal inflammatory response, neutrophils can cause significant tissue damage by releasing toxic substances at the vascular wall or in uninjured tissue. Alternatively, neutrophils that stick to the capillary wall or clump in venules may produce tissue damage by ischemia. Such abnormal inflammatory responses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of clinical disorders including adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); ischemia-reperfusion injury following myocardial infarction, shock, stroke, and organ transplantation; acute and chronic allograft rejection; vasculitis; sepsis; rheumatoid arthritis; and inflammatory skin diseases (Harlan et al., 1990 Immunol. Rev. 114, 5).

Neutrophil adhesion at the site of inflammation is believed to involve at least two discrete cell-cell interactive events. Initially, vascular endothelium adjacent to inflamed tissue becomes sticky for neutrophils; neutrophils interact with the endothelium via low affinity adhesive mechanisms in a process known as "rolling". In the second adhesive step, rolling neutrophils bind more tightly to vascular endothelial cells and migrate from the blood vessel into the tissue.

Neutrophil rolling along affected vascular segments and other initial low affinity contacts between neutrophils and the endothelium are reported to be mediated by a group of monomeric, integral membrane glycoproteins termed selectins. All three of the selectins so far identified, that is L-selectin (LECAM-1 or LAM-1) present on the surface of neutrophils, E-selectin (endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 or ELAM-1) present on endothelial cells and P-selectin (granule membrane protein-140, GMP-140, platelet activation-dependent granule-external membrane protein, PADGEM or CD62) expressed on endothelial cells, have been implicated in neutrophil adhesion to the vascular endothelium (Jutila et al., 1989 J. Immunol 143, 3318; Watson et al., 1991 Nature 349, 164; Mulligan et al., J. Clin. Invest. 88, 1396; Gundel et al., 1991 J. Clin. Invest. 88, 1407; Geng et al., 1990 Nature 343, 757; Patel et al., 1991 J. Cell Biol. 112, 749). The counter-receptor for E-selectin is reported to be the sialylated Lewis X antigen (sialyl-Lewis^(X)) that is present on cell-surface glycoproteins (Phillips et al., 1990 Science 250, 1130; Walz et al., 1990 Science 250, 1132; Tiemeyer et al., 1991 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.(USA) 88, 1138; Lowe et al., 1990 Cell 63, 475). Receptors for the other selectins are also thought to be carbohydrate in nature but remain to be elucidated.

The more stable secondary contacts between neutrophils and endothelial cells are reported to be mediated by a class of cell adhesion molecules known as integrins. Integrins comprise a broad range of evolutionarily conserved heterodimeric transmembrane glycoprotein complexes that are present on virtually all cell types. Members of the leukocyte-specific CD18 (β₂) family of integrins, which include CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1) and CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1, Mo-1 or CR3) have been reported to mediate neutrophil adhesion to the endothelium (See Larson and Springer, 1990 Immunol Rev. 114, 181). Endothelial cell counter-receptors for these integrins are the intercellular cell adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 for CD11a/CD18 and ICAM-1 for CD11b/CD18, respectively (Rothlein et al., 1986 J. Immunol. 137, 1270; Staunton et al., 1988 Cell 52, 925; Staunton et al., 1989 Nature 339, 61). The ICAMs are monomeric transmembrane proteins that are members of the immunoglobulin superfamily.

The CD11b/CD18 integrin is expressed on a variety of leukocytes, including monocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, large granular lymphocytes (NK cells), and immature and CD5⁺ B cells, (Kishimoto, T. K., Larson, R. S., Corbi, A. L., Dustin, M. L., Staunton, D. E., and Spriger, T. A. (1989) Adv. in Immunol. 46,149-182). CD11b/CD18 has been implicated in a variety of leukocyte functions including adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells (Prieto, J., Beatty, P. G., Clark, E. A., and Patarroyo, M. (1988) Immunology 63, 631-637; Wallis, W. J., Hickstein, D. D., Schwartz, B. R., June, C. H., Ochs, H. D., Beatty, P. G., Klebanoff, S. J., and Harlan, J. M. (1986) Blood 67, 1007-1013; Smith, C. W., Marlin, S. D., Rothlein, R., Toman, C., and Anderson, D. C. (1989) J. Clin. Invest. 83, 2008-2017) and release of hydrogen peroxide from neutrophils (Shappell, S. B., Toman, C., Anderson, D. C., Taylor, A. A., Entman, M. L. and Smith, C. W. (1990) J. Immunol. 144, 2702-2711; Von Asmuth, E. J. U., Van Der Linden, C. J., Leeuwenberg, J. F. M., and Buurman, W. A. (1991) J. Immunol. 147,3869-3875). This integrin may play a roll in neutrophil and monocye phagocytosis of opsonized (ie C3bi-coated) targets (Beller, D. I., Springer, T. A., and Schreiber, R. D. (1982) J.Exp. Med. 156,1000-1009). It has also been reported that CD11b/CD18 contributes to elevated natural killer activity against C3bi-coated target cells (Ramos, O. F., Kai, C., Yefenof, E., and Klein, E. (1988) J. Immunol. 140,1239-1243).

The activation of endothelial cells and neutrophils is believed to represent an important component of neutrophil-mediated inflammation. Factors that induce cell activation are termed agonists. Endothelial cell agonists, which are believed to include small regulatory proteins such as tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) and interleukin-1α (IL-1α), are released by cells at the site of injury. Activation of endothelial cells has been reported to result in the increased surface expression of ICAM-1 (Staunton et al., 1988 Cell 52, 925) and ELAM-1 (Bevilacqua et al., 1987 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 84, 9238). Raised levels of expression of these adhesive molecules on the surface of activated endothelial cells is believed to lead to the observed increased adhesivity of neutrophils for the vascular endothelium near sites of injury.

Activation of the neutrophil results in profound changes to its physiological state, including shape change, ability to phagocytose foreign bodies and release of cytotoxic substances from intracellular granules. Moreover, activation is believed to greatly increase the affinity of adhesive contacts between neutrophils and the vascular endothelium, perhaps through a conformational change in the CD11b/CD18 integrin complex on the neutrophil surface (Vedder and Harlan, 1988 J. Clin. Invest. 81, 676; Buyon et al., 1988 J. Immunol. 140, 3156). Factors that have been reported to induce neutrophil activation include IL-1α, GM-CSF, G-CSF, MIP-1, IL-8 (IL-8=interleukin-8, GM-CSF=granulocyte/monocyte-colony stimulating factor, G-CSF=granulocyte-colony stimulating factor), TNFα, the complement fragment C5a, the microbe-derived peptide formyl-Met-Leu-Phe and the lipid-like molecules leukotriene B4 (LTB₄) and platelet activating factor (Fuortes-and Nathan, 1992, in Molecular Basis of Oxidative Damage by Leukocytes Eds Jesaitis, A. J. and Dratz, E. A. (CRC Press) pp. 81-90). In addition, phorbol esters (e.g., phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; PMA) have been proposed as a potent class of synthetic lipid-like neutrophil agonists. With the exception of PMA, these agonists are believed to activate neutrophils by binding receptors on their surface. Receptors that are occupied by agonist molecules are believed to initiate within the neutrophil a cascade of events that ultimately will result in the physiological changes that accompany neutrophil activation. This process is known as signal transduction. The lipid-like PMA is proposed to affect neutrophil activation by passing through the plasma membrane at the cell surface and directly interacting with intracellular components (i.e., protein kinase) of the signal transduction machinery.

There exist two general classes of compounds that have been reported to down regulate the function of neutrophils, and these compounds have been shown to mitigate inflammation. One group of anti-inflammatory compounds has been proposed to function as inhibitors of neutrophil activation, and presumably adhesion, by acting on components of the signal transduction machinery. A second class of anti-inflammatory compounds has been proposed to block neutrophil infiltration into inflammatory foci by acting as direct inhibitors of the adhesive receptors that mediate contact between neutrophils and the vascular endothelium.

Many of the anti-inflammatory compounds currently used as therapeutics, including prostaglandins, catecholamines, and a group of agents known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are believed to fall into the first category (Showell and Williams, 1989, in Immunopharmacology, eds. Gilman, S. C. and Rogers, T. J. Telford Press, N.J.! pp 23-63). For example, the enhanced adhesiveness observed for TNFα-activated neutrophils has been reported as associated with decreased levels of a mediator of signal transduction, cyclic AMP (cAMP). (See Nathan and Sanchez, 1990 JCB 111, 2171). Exposure of neutrophils to prostaglandins and catecholamines has been correlated with elevated levels of intracellular cyclic AMP (Showell and Williams, 1989). While signal transduction inhibitors have been used extensively as anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents, they have been shown to have several disadvantages including poor efficacy in acute inflammatory conditions, lack of specificity and undesirable side-effects such as gastric or intestinal ulceration, disturbances in platelet and central nervous system function and changes in renal function (Insel, 1990 in The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, eds. Gilman, A. G., Rall, T. W., Nies, A. S., and Taylor, P. Pergamon, N.Y.!, 8th Ed., pp. 638-681).

Glucocorticoids have long been recognized for their anti-inflammatory properties. Steroid induced inhibition of neutrophils has been reported for several neutrophil functions, including adherence (Clark et al., 1979 Blood 53, 633-641; MacGregor, 1977 Ann. Intern. Med. 86, 35-39). The mechanisms by which glucocorticoids modulate neutrophil function are not well understood, but they are generally believed to involve the amplification or suppression of new proteins in treated neutrophils that play a key role in the inflammatory process (Knudsen et al., 1987 J. Immunol. 139, 4129). In particular, a group of proteins known as lipocortins, whose expression is induced in neutrophils by glucocorticoids, has been associated with anti-inflammatory properties (Flower, 1989 Br. J. Pharmacol. 94, 987-1015). Lipocortins may exert anti-neutrophil effects by interacting with sites on the neutrophil surface (Camussi et al., 1990 J. Exp. Med. 171, 913-927), but there is no evidence to suggest that the lipocortins act by directly blocking adhesive proteins on the neutrophil. Apart from their beneficial anti-inflammatory properties, glucocorticoids have been associated with significant side-effects. These include suppression of pituitary-adrenal function, fluid and electrolyte disturbances; hypertension, hyperglycemia, glycosuria, susceptibility to infection, ulcers, osteoporosis, myopathy, arrest of growth and behavioral disturbances (Insel, 1990).

A second class of anti-inflammatory compounds which are reported as direct inhibitors of neutrophil adhesion to the vascular endothelium are monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies that recognize and block ligand-binding functions of some of these adhesive molecules have been reported to act as in vivo inhibitors of neutrophil-mediated inflammation. In particular, monoclonal antibodies to the CD18 subunit of the CD18 integrin complexes (i.e., CD11a/CD18, CD11b/CD18 and CD11c/CD18) on the surface of neutrophils have been reported to prevent a variety of neutrophil-mediated tissue injury in animal models, including pulmonary edema induced by reperfusion (Horgan et al, 1990 Am. J. Physiol. 259, L315-L319), organ injury induced by hemorrhagic shock (Mileski et al, 1990 Surgery 108, 206-212), myocardial damage following ischemia/reperfusion (Winquist et al, 1990 Circulation III-701), edema and tissue damage following ischemia/reperfusion of the ear (Vedder et al, 1990 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.(USA) 87, 2643-2646), brain edema and death produced by bacterial meningitis (Tuomanen et al, 1989 J. Exp. Med. 170, 959-968), vascular injury and death in endotoxic shock (Thomas et al, 1991 FASEB J. 5, A509) and indomethacin-induced gastric injury (Wallace et al, 1991 Gastroenterology 100, 878-883).

Monoclonal antibodies directed to the CD11b subunit have been reported by Todd, R. F. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,793 (Jun. 20, 1989), Todd, R. F. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,234 (Jun. 19, 1990), Schlossman, S. F. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,648 (May 28, 1991) and Rusche, J. R. et al., International Application No. WO 92/11870 (Jul. 23, 1992). Monclonal antibodies directed to CD18 subunit have been reported by Arfors, K. E., U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,277 (Jan. 10, 1989), Wright, S. D. et al., European Patent Application No. 346,078 (Dec. 13, 1989), Law, M. et al., European Patent Application No. 438,312 (Jul. 24, 1991), Law, M. et al., European Patent Application No. 440,351 (Aug. 7, 1991), Wright, S. D. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,637 (Sep. 15, 1992) and Wegner, C. D. et al., European Patent Application No. 507,187 (Oct. 7, 1992).

Antibodies to other adhesive molecules have also been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. Monoclonal antibodies that recognize the counter-receptor of CD11a/CD18 and CD11b/CD18, ICAM-1 have been reported to prolong cardiac allograft survival (Flavin et al, 1991 Transplant. Proc. 23, 533-534) and prevent chemically induced lung inflammation (Barton et al, 1989 J. Immunol. 143, 1278-1282). Furthermore, anti-selectin monoclonal antibodies have also been reported as active in animal models of neutrophil-mediated inflammation. Monoclonal antibodies to L-selectin have been reported to prevent neutrophil emigration into inflamed skin (Lewinshon et al., 1987 J. Immunol. 138, 4313) and inflamed ascites (Jutila et al., 1989 J. Immunol. 143, 3318; Watson et al., 1991 Nature 349, 164). Reports have also described inhibition of neutrophil influx into inflamed lung tissue by anti E-selectin monoclonal antibodies (Mulligan et al., 1991 J. Clin.-Invest. 88, 1396; Gundel et al., 1991 J. Clin. Invest. 88, 1407). While monoclonal antibodies to adhesive proteins have demonstrated the feasibility of using neutrophil adhesion inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents, their utility as therapeutics requires further evaluation.

Soluble adhesive receptors obtained by genetic engineering have been proposed as anti-inflammatory compounds. Soluble receptors, in which the transmembrane and intracellular domains have been deleted by recombinant DNA technology, have been tested as inhibitors of neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells. The functional use of recombinant soluble adhesive molecules has been reported using CD11b/CD18 (Dana et al., 1991 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 88, 3106-3110) and L-selectin (Watson et al., 1991).

Recently, a new class of anti-leukocyte compounds collectively termed "leumedins" has been reported. These compounds have been reported to block the recruitment in vivo of T lymphocytes and neutrophils into inflammatory lesions. The mechanism of action of the leumedins is unclear, but there is evidence that they do not function by blocking neutrophil activation (Burch et al., 1991 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 88, 355). It remains to be determined if leumedins block neutrophil infiltration by direct interference with adhesive molecules.

It has been suggested that parasites survive in their host by modulating host immunity and inflammatory response though the mechanisms by which this occurs remains unclear (Leid, W. S., 1987, Veterinary Parasitology, 25: 147). In this regard, parasite-induced immunosupression in rodent models has been proposed (Soulsby et al., 1987, Immunol Lett. 16, 315-320). The various aspects of the modulation of host immunity by helminth parasites to evade immunological attack has recently been reviewed. See Maizels et al. (1993), Nature, 365:797-805.

Various parasites have been reported to have an affect on neutrophils of their host. For example, a protein isolated from the cestode, Taenia taeniaeformis, has been reported to inhibit chemotaxis and chemokinesis of equine neutrophils, as well as inhibit neutrophil aggregation (C. Suquet et al., 1984, Int'l J. Parasitol., 14: 165; Leid, R. W. et al., 1987, Parasite Immunology, 9: 195; and Leid, R. W. et al., 1987, Int'l J. Parasitol., 17: 1349). Peritoneal neutrophils from mice infected with the cestode, Echinococcus multiocularis, have been reported to lose their ability to migrate toward parasite antigens and nonspecific chemoattractants with increasing time of infection (Alkarmi, T. et al., Exptl. Parasitol., 1989, 69: 16). The nematode, Trichinella spiralis, has been reported to either excrete and/or secrete factors which inhibit chemotaxis and p-nitroblue tetrazolium reduction (i.e., release of oxidative metabolites) but enhance chemokinesis of human neutrophils (Bruschi, F. et al., 1989, Wiadomosci Parazytologiczne, 35: 391). The sera of humans infected with the nematode, Trichinella spiralis, has been reported to inhibit leukocyte chemotaxis and phagocytosis (Bruschi, F. et al., 1990, J. Parasitol., 76: 577). The saliva of the tick, Ixodes dammini, has been reported to inhibit neutrophil function (Ribeiro et al, 1990, Exp. Parasitol., 70, 382). A protein secreted by the cestode, Echinococcus granulosus, has been reported to inhibit human neutrophil chemotaxis (Shepard, J. C. et al., 1991, Mol. Biochem. Parasitol., 44: 81).

Another component of the host defense mechanism against invading pathogens are eosinophils. Functionally, eosinophils are similar to neutrophils in hat both cell types have the ability to phagocytose and to release compounds that are either directly or indirectly toxic to pathogenic organisms. Eosinophils are distinguished from neutrophils by their morphologic features, constituents, products and associations with specific diseases. Although eosinophils have been reported to be capable of killing bacteria in vitro, this class of leukocyte alone is not believed sufficient to defend against bacterial infections in vivo. Instead, it is thought that eosinophils afford primary defense against large organisms such as helminthic parasites (Butterworth A E, 1984; Adv. Parasitol. 23:143-235). Also, it is widely held that eosinophils can play a major role in certain inflammatory diseases. Specifically, substances released from eosinophils that are known collectively as cationic granule proteins, including major basic protein, eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, have been implicated in asthma (Gleich G J and Adolphson, C R, 1986; Adv. Immunol. 39:177-253), inflammatory bowel disease (Hallren, R, 1989; Am. J. Med. 86:56-64) and atopic dermatitis (Tsuda, S, et al, 1992; J. Dermatol. 19:208-213). Moreover, other eosinophil products such as superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen may also be involved in damage to host tissue in inflammatory disease states (Petreccia, D C et al, 1987, J. Leukoc. Biol. 41:283-288; Kanofsky, J R et al, 1988; J. Biol. Chem. 263:9692-9696).

An early step in eosinophil-mediated inflammatory disease is believed to be the movement of eosinophils from the vascular compartment to tissue. The first step in this extravasation process is reported to be the adherence of eosinophils to the luminal surface of the vascular endothelium. Although mechanisms of eosinophil-endothelial cell: adhesion are not as well defined as those involving adhesion by neutrophils, it is reported that members of the CD11/CD18 family of integrins on the surface of the eosinophil are involved in eosinophil-endothelial adhesion (Lamas, A M, et al, 1988; J. Immunol. 140:1500; Walsh, G M, et al, 1990; Immunology 71:258), and it is reported that the endothelial cell counter-receptor is likely ICAM-1 (Wegner, C D, et al, 1990; Science 247:456-459). A second integrin known as VLA-4 (very late antigen-4, a4b1) that is present on eosinophils, lymphocytes and monocytes but not neutrophils, is thought to contribute to eosinophil adherence by binding to the VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) that is expressed on the surface of endothelial cells (Dobrina, A, et al, 1991, J. Clin. Invest. 88:20). IL-1 treatment of the endothelial cell monolayers has been reported to induce an increased adhesiveness for human basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils but treatment of these endothelial cells with an antibody directed to VACM-1 was reported to inhibit both basophil and eosinophil adhesion but not neutrophil adhesion. It has also been reported that monoclonal antibodies against VCAM-1 inhibit lymphocyte and monocyte cell adhesion to stimulated endothelium (Carlos et al. (1990), Blood, 76:965-970; Rice et al., J. Exp. Med. (1990), 171:1369-1374) but not to neutrophils.

Approaches to the treatment of eosinophil-mediated inflammation have been similar to those adopted for neutrophil-mediated disease. For example, potential therapeutics under investigation for eosinophil-mediated inflammation include glucocorticoids (Evans, P M, et al, 1993, J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 91:643-650). As is the case for other agents that have been reported to modulate neutrophil function, these agents have been found to be sub-optimal in that they are relatively non-specific and toxic. A second approach to anti-eosinophil therapy has been the use of compounds that directly inhibit the adhesion of eosinophils to vascular endothelium. It has been reported that in animal models of asthma, monoclonal antibody against ICAM-1 blocks eosinophil infiltration into tissues. Wegner et al. (1990), Science, 247:456-459. ICAM-1 and functional derivatives thereof have been proposed as anti-inflammatory agents. Anderson et al., European Patent Application No. 314,863 (Apr. 29, 1988); Wegner et al., International Application No. WO 90/10453 (Sep. 20, 1990).

However, there remains a need for potent, highly specific inhibitors of neutrophil and eosinophil function, in particular, adhesion to vascular endothelium, as a treatment for abnormal granulocyte-mediated inflammation. The present invention describes potent and specific inhibitors of neutrophil and eosinophil activity, in particular the adhesion of these granulocytes to vascular endothelial cells, derived from hookworms (such as Ancylostoma caninum) and related species.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among other factors, the present invention is based on our finding that the Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of the present invention represents a pioneering step toward the development of a new generation of anti-inflammatory therapeutic products. This discovery will enable therapy for inflammatory disease based entirely on specific inhibition of the inflammatory response. The therapeutic advantages of this novel approach are realized through the specificity of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor compared to current clinical treatment modalities such as steroids, catecholamines, prostaglandins, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The currently used therapeutic agents demonstrate poor efficacy and multiple adverse reactions due to generalized systemic effects that non-specifically target numerous biological processes in addition to the inflammatory process. Nonetheless, the existence of this extensive panel of anti-inflammatory agents, although suboptimal, and the total funds expended by the pharmaceutical industry in research in this area point to significant medical needs for effective anti-inflammatory agents and suggests that the novel and highly specific Neutrophil Inhibitory Factors of the present invention have important applications.

As noted in the Background, the inflammatory response may result in clinical syndromes ranging from debilitating arthritis and asthma to life threatening shock. In view of the severity of these disorders, the vast number of individuals afflicted therewith and the lack of suitable therapeutic intervention, the need for a breakthrough therapy represents a long felt need which has not been met. The Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of the present invention is believed to meet this need by providing the potential for a lifesaving therapy which is currently being sought throughout the international medical and pharmaceutical research communities.

Further, in view of the myriad conditions associated with undesired and/or abnormal inflammatory conditions which appear to be associated with neutrophil activity, there remains a need for potent, highly specific inhibitors of neutrophil function, in particular, adhesion to vascular endothelium, as a treatment for abnormal neutrophil-mediated inflammation. The present invention is believed to fulfill this need by disclosing a potent and specific inhibitor of neutrophil activity, in particular the adhesion of neutrophils to vascular endothelial cells, derived from hookworms (such as Ancylostoma caninum) and related species.

The present invention is directed to a neutrophil inhibitory factor ("Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor" or "NIF") which may be isolated from natural sources or made by recombinant methods. Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor is a protein which is neither an antibody, a member of the integrin or selectin families nor a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of adhesive proteins and which when isolated from a parasitic worm is a glycoprotein. Recombinant NIF produced by certain expression systems may or may not be glycosylated, or may be glycosylated to a variable degree. However, such NIFs whether glycosylated or not are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

In one aspect, the present invention provides NIFs which contain, as part of their total amino acid sequence, an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of

(a) Arg-X₁ -X₂ -Phe-Leu-X₃ -X₄ -His-Asn-Gly-Tyr-Arg-Ser-X₅ -Leu-Ala-Leu-Gly-His-X₆ -X₇ -Ile SEQ ID NO.1!, wherein X₁ is Leu or Arg; X₂ is Gln, Lys or Arg; X₃ is Ala or Arg; X₄ is Leu or Met; X₅ is Lys, Arg, Leu or Ile; X₆ is Val or Ile; and X₇ is Ser, Gly or Asn;

(b) Ala-X₈ -X₉ -Ala-Ser-X₁₀ -Met-Arg-X₁₁ -Leu-X₁₂ -Tyr-Asp-Cys-X₁₃ -Ala-Glu-X₁₄ -Ser-Ala-Tyr-X₁₅ -Ser-Ala SEQ ID NO.2!, wherein X₈ is His or Pro; X₉ is Thr, Arg or Ser; X₁₀ is Arg or Lys; X₁₁ is Ile or Tyr; X₁₂ is Asp, Lys or Glu; X₁₃ is Asp or Glu; X₁₄ is Gly, Lys or Arg; and X₁₅ is Glu, Met, Thr or Val;

(c) Ser-X₁₆ -Phe-Ala-Asn-X₁₇ -Ala-Trp-Asp-X₁₈ -Arg-Glu-Lys-X₁₉ -Gly-Cys-Ala-Val-Val-X₂₀ -Cys SEQ ID NO.3!, wherein X₁₆ is Asn or Asp; X₁₇ is Val or Leu; X₁₈ is Ala or Thr; X₁₉ is Leu, Val or Phe; and X₂₀ is Thr, Lys or Asn;

(d) His-Val-Val-Cys-His-X₂₁ -X₂₂ -Pro-Lys SEQ ID NO.4!, wherein X₂₁ is Tyr or Ile; X₂₂ is Gly or no residue;

(e) Ile-Tyr-X₂₃ -X₂₄ -Gly-X₂₅ -Pro-Cys-X₂₆ -X₂₇ -CYS-X₂₈ -X₂₉ -Tyr, wherein X₂₃ is Thr, Ser, Lys or Glu; X₂₄ is Thr SEQ ID NO.5!, Val or Ile; X₂₅ is Val, Lys or Thr; X₂₆ is Arg, Ser or Asp; X₂₇ is Asn, Gly, Asp or Arg; X₂₈ is Asn, Ser or Thr; and X₂₉ is Gly, Glu or Asp; and

(f) Cys-X₃₀ -X₃₁ -Asp-X₃₂ -Gly-Val-Cys-X₃₃ -Ile SEQ ID NO.6!, wherein X₃₀ is His, Ile or Asn; X₃₁ is Ala, Pro or Asp; X₃₂ is Glu, Val, Asp or Ile; X₃₃ is Ile, Val or Phe. Such NIFs exhibit neutrophil inhibitory activity.

In another aspect, the present invention provides mutant NIFs wherein certain asparagine residues are replaced with glutamine residues which is believed to result in the reduced glycosylation of these NIFs. The mutant NIFs contain, as part of their total amino acid sequence, an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of peptides (a) to (f) hereinabove. Such NIFs exhibit neutrophil inhibitory activity.

In another aspect, the present invention provides NIFs which contain, as part of their total amino acid sequence, an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleic acid sequence which is sufficiently complementary to hybridize to certain nucleic acid probes. Such NIFs exhibit neutrophil inhibitory activity. The present invention includes within its scope these nucleic acid probes.

In another aspect, the present invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding for a NIF and which are isolated as described herein. Such isolated nucleic acid molecules include expression vectors containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding a NIF. The present invention also includes the host cells transformed by such expression vectors.

In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for making biologically active NIFs, wherein such NIFs are expressed and, optionally, secreted. The present invention also includes the NIFs made by these methods.

In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of making NIFs comprising preparing a cDNA library from a source suspected of having a NIF and hybridizing certain oligonucleotide probes of the present invention to the nucleic acid molecules from the source. Such NIFs exhibit neutrophil inhibitory activity. The present invention also includes the NIFs made by these methods.

In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of detecting in a sample the presence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a NIF, which methods comprise the combining the sample thought to contain such nucleic acid molecule with a probe of the present invention and detecting the presence of hybridized probe.

In another aspect, the present invention provides monoclonal antibodies which bind to NIF. The present invention also includes the hybridoma cell lines which make such antibodies, a method of purifying NIF using such monoclonal antibodies and method of detecting in a sample the presence of NIF using such antibodies.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting in a sample NIF mimics which compete with NIFs for binding to the CD11b/CD18 receptor, which method comprises contacting a sample with the CD11b/CD18 receptor. Also provided is a method for detecting in a sample NIF mimics which compete with NIFs for binding to the I-domain portion of the CD11b/CD18 receptor, which method comprises contacting a sample with a recombinant peptide comprising the I-domain of CD11b/CD18 receptor. Such NIF mimics exhibit neutrophil inhibitory activity. The present invention also includes the NIF mimics detected by these methods.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting in a sample a NIF antagonist which prevents NIF binding to the CD11b/CD18 receptor, which method comprises contacting such sample with the CD11b/CD18 receptor. Also provided is a method for detecting in a sample NIF antagonist which compete with NIFs for binding to the I-domain portion of the CD11b/CD18 receptor, which method comprises contacting a sample with a recombinant peptide comprising the I-domain of CD11b/CD18 receptor. Such NIF antagonists do not exhibit neutrophil inhibitory activity themselves. The present invention also includes the NIF antagonists detected by these methods.

In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of using NIF to treat inflammatory conditions, especially to prevent or decrease inflammatory responses, which methods comprise administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of NIF.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following descriptions of the preferred embodiments and from the claims.

DEFINITIONS

In accordance with the present invention and as used herein, the following terms are defined with the following meanings, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

The term "amino acid" refers to the natural L-amino acids. The natural amino acids shall be referred to by their names or may be abbreviated as shown below:

    ______________________________________                   Abbreviation     L-amino acid    Three letter                               One Letter     ______________________________________     alanine         Ala       A     arginine        Arg       R     asparagine      Asn       N     aspartic acid   Asp       D     cysteine        Cys       C     glutamine       Gln       Q     glutamic acid   Glu       E     glycine         Gly       G     histidine       His       H     isoleucine      Ile       I     leucine         Leu       L     lysine          Lys       K     methionine      Met       M     phenylalanine   Phe       F     proline         Pro       P     serine          Ser       S     threonine       Thr       T     tryptophan      Trp       W     tyrosine        Tyr       Y     valine          Val       V     ______________________________________

The term "amino acid residue" refers to --NH--CH(R)--CO--, wherein R is the side chain group distinguishing each amino acid. For cyclic amino acids, the residue is ##STR1## wherein x is 1, 2 or 3 representing the azetidinecarboxylic acid, proline or pipecolic acid residues, respectively.

The term "isoform" refers to a family of related proteins from a single organism having homologous sequences of amino acid residues interspersed with variable sequences.

The term "nucleic acid" refers to polymers of either deoxynucleic acids or ribonucleic acids, either single-stranded or double-stranded.

The term "isolated nucleic acid" refers to nucleic acids which are isolated by biochemical or molecular biology techniques such as centrifugation, chromatography, electrophoresis, hybridization and the like.

The term "NIF mimic" refers to a small molecule, peptide, peptide analog or protein, which competes with NIF for binding to the CD11b/CD18 receptor or the I-domain portion of the CD11b/CD18 receptor. A NIF mimic is also characterized as having neutrophil inhibitory activity, eosinophil inhibitory activity or both such activities.

The term "NIF antagonist" refers to a small molecule, peptide, peptide analog or protein, which prevents the binding of NIF to the CD11b/CD18 receptor or the I-domain portion of this receptor, and does not possess any significant neutrophil inhibitory activity. A NIF antagonist prevents binding of NIF to the CD11b/CD18 receptor or the I-domain portion of the CD11b/CD18 receptor, by binding to a site on NIF which is required for binding to the receptor in effect sterically hindering binding, or alternatively, by binding to a site on NIF which results in a conformational change to the site needed for such binding which change substantially weakens or abolishes binding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a chromatogram of hookworm lysate obtained as described in the Example 2(A) run on the Example 2(B) Concanavalin A Sepharose column.

FIG. 2 depicts a chromatogram of Concanavalin A-purified hookworm lysate run on the Example 2(C) Superdex 200 column.

FIG. 3 depicts a chromatogram of the Concanavalin A Sepharose/Superdex purified hookworm lysate run on the Example 2(D) ceramic hydroxyapatite column.

FIG. 4 depicts a chromatogram from reverse phase HPLC of hookworm lysate isolated by Concanavalin A Sepharose, Superdex 200 and hydroxyapatite chromatography as described in Example 1(E).

FIG. 5 depicts a gel pattern run using SDS-gel electrophoresis of the HPLC isolate and certain molecular weight standards.

FIG. 6 depicts laser-desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry of the purified Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A to 7C depict the amino acid sequence of proteolytic fragments prepared from Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor isolated;-from canine hookworms SEQ ID NOS.63 to 81!.

FIGS. 8A to 8E depict the nucleotide sequence of the coding region of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor CDNA (clone 1FL) and its predicted amino acid sequences SEQ ID NO.82!.

FIGS. 9A to 9E depict the alignment of the predicted amino acid sequences of several Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor isoform clones SEQ ID NOS.83 to 89!.

FIG. 10 depicts the anti-inflammatory effect of varied doses of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor isolated from canine hookworms administered intraperitoneally in an animal model of inflammation.

FIG. 11 depicts the anti-inflammatory effect of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor isolated from canine hookworms administered either intraperitoneally or intravenously in an animal model of inflammation.

FIG. 12 depicts the anti-inflammatory effect of recombinant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor produced in Pichia Pastoris administered in vivo in an animal model of inflammation.

FIG. 13 depicts the effect of recombinant NIF on the inhibition of eosinophil adherence to TNF-stimulated HUVEC monolayers. Data points are means of triple determinations of one experiment.

FIG. 14 depicts genetic map of the expression vector Pma5-NI1/3. The vector contains the following elements: (i) a ColE1 type origin of replication (ORI); (ii) the intercistronic region of filamentous phage f1 including the origin of replication (f1 ORI); (iii) the beta-lactamase gene which donfers resistance to ampicillin (bla); (iv) the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene which contains an amber translational stop codon as the result of a single nucleotide substitution (cat-am); (v) the phage lambda P_(R) promoter; (vi) a small leader cistron; (vii) the methionyl-NIF encoding region and (viii) two tandemly arranged copies of the central transcription terminator of phage fd (fdT). The sequence of the Met-NIF expression cassette (blown-up region) is shown in FIG. 15. The Pma/c family of vectors have been described. See Stanssens et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 17, 4441-4454, 1989.

FIGS. 15A to 15D depict the nucleotide base sequence of the two-cistron Met-NIF expression cassette of Pma5-NI1/3. The encoded methionyl-NIF and leader peptide are shown in the one-letter code. The following features are indicated: the -35 and -10 regions of the, phage lambda P_(R) promoter, the transcription initiation point, the Shine-Dalgarno elements preceding the leader cistron (SD_(cro)) and the Met-NIF gene (SD) and some restriction sites. The vector was obtained by ligation of the PCR amplified NIF-1FL coding region to the recipient vector which was cleaved by NcoI, treated with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I and subsequently digested with HindIII (both ligation points are indicated). The construction scheme fuses the 5'-end of the NIF coding region to an ATG initiator codon.

FIGS. 16A to 16V depict a comparison of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of NIF proteins from hookworms SEQ ID NOS.91 to 101!. The NIF-1FL nucleotide sequence is numbered; this numbering is also used to refer to positions in other genes. PCR-NIF7 and PCR-NIF20 were recovered by PCR-technology: the (regions matching with the) PCR-primers are italicized. AcaNIF7 and NIF-1FL9 differ at only one position (G to, E replacement; nucleotide-substitution located at position 647). The one remaining uncertainty in these sequences is at position 660 in PCR-NIF20. No poly(A+) tail was found in NIF-1FL sequence. Underlined sequences in the 3'-untranslated region (UAUAAA and AGUAAA) may serve as polyadenylation signals. Only the NIF-1FL, NIF-1FL9 and AcaNIF24 cDNAs contain an entire secretion signal. The potential N-glycosylation sites (N-X-T/S) are underlined.

FIGS. 17A and 17B depict a comparison of the potency of recombinant NIF-1FL with that of the recombinant proteins AcaNIF6 and AcaNIF24. The three purified proteins were tested in both the hydrogen peroxide release assay of Example 1(E) (FIG. 17A) and the neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay of Example 1(C) (FIG. 17B).

FIG. 18 depicts a comparison of recombinant NIF-1FL with recombinant AcaNIF4 in the competition binding assay of Example 1(F). Samples containing a fixed amount of biotinylated NIF-1FL and varying amounts of either AcaNIF4 or NIF-1FL, were assayed on immobilized LM-2/Mac-1 complex. The amount of bound biotinylated NIF-1FL was detected with ExtrAvidin conjugated with alkaline phosphatase.

FIGS. 19A to 19B depict the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of a NIF protein from A. ceylanicum (AceNIF3) SEQ ID NO.102!. The underlined sequence (GAATTCCG) derives from the EcoRI linker that was added onto the CDNA. The sequence which may function as polyadenylation signal (AAUAAA) is also indicated. The encoded, protein contains 10 potential N-glycosylation sites (N-X-T/S).

FIG. 20 depicts the binding of phages displaying a NIF protein from A. ceylanicum (AceNIF3) to Mac-1. Wells coated with LM2/Mac-1 complex were first incubated with varying amounts of Pichia-produced RNIF1 (or buffer in the control experiment); after 30 minutes, 10¹⁰ virions displaying either NIF-1FL or AceNIF3 were added and the incubation continued for another 90 minutes. Retained phages were detected with rabbit anti-phage serum and goat anti-rabbit alkaline phosphatase conjugate. The various components were incubated in PBS containing 1 Mm MgCl₂, 1 Mm CaCl₂ and 0.1% skim-milk (phage samples contained 1% skim-milk). Unbound material was removed by washing with PBS containing 1 Mm CaCl₂, 1 Mm MgCl₂, 0.1% Tween 20 and 0.02% thimerosal. The relative amount of bound phages was calculated by taking the OD_(405nm) reading obtained in the control experiment as 100%.

FIG. 21 depicts the synthesis of functional NIF-1FL by PAN-NIF-1FL in either a phage-attached or `soluble` form. The PAN-NIF-1FL vector contains the following elements:

1) a NIF-1FL containing gene fusion which is placed under the transcriptional control of the Plac promoter. The gene fusion consists of the pelB secretion signal, the NIF-1FL coding region, and the filamentous phage M13 geneIII (gIII). Between the NIF-1FL and the GIII sequences a TAG amber translational stop codon is present. The NcoI and NotI restriction sites used for the cloning of the NIF-1FL coding region are indicated.

2) the bla gene which confers resistance to 100 μg/ml ampicillin or carbenicillin (bla/Ap^(R)).

3) the intergenic region, including the origin of replication, of filamentous phage M13 (M13-IR/ORI).

4) a ColE1-type plasmid borne origin of replication (ColE1-ORI). In su⁺ bacteria such as TG1, the PAN-NIF-1FL phagemid-vector codes for a NIF-1FL-pgIII fusion protein (pgiii; product of GIII) which becomes incorporated into filamentous virions upon infection of TG1 PAN-NIF-1FL! cells with M13-VCS `helper`-phage (Statagene). In su⁻ strain WK6, PAN-NIF-1FL directs the synthesis of `free` (not phage-attached) RNIF1 which binds to the anti-NIF MAb 3D2 and to Mac-1.

TG1: Δ(lac-proAB), hsdΔ5(r_(k) ⁻ m_(k) ⁻), thi, supE/F' traD36, lacI^(q), lacZΔM15, proA⁺ B⁺ !.

WK6: Δ(lac-proAB), galE, strA/F' lacI^(q), lacZΔM15, proA⁺ B⁺ !.

FIG. 22 depicts ELISAs with NIF-1FL-displaying phage. NIF-displaying phages (or non-displaying control phages, e.g. M13-VCS; in each experiment about 5×10⁹ phage particles were added) were incubated in microtiter wells coated with Mac-1 (immunopurified on LM2-Sepharose), LM2/Mac-1, LM2 or the non-neutralizing anti-NIF Mab 3D2. In some experiments non-phage-attached `soluble` NIF (sNIF) was allowed to react with the immobilized material (1 μM) 30 minutes prior to addition of the phages. Bound phages were detected with a rabbit anti-M13 serum and an alkaline phosphatase conjugated goat anti-rabbit serum.

FIG. 23 depicts a comparison of the potency of AcaNIF1 with that of the mutants, AcaNIF1/Δh,Gl1-7 and AcaNIF1/ΔGl1-5, in a neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay of Example 1(C).

FIGS. 24A to 24I depict binding of biotinylated rNIF to lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes as described in Example 30.

FIG. 25 depicts direct concordance of NIF binding and CD11b/CD18 expression as determined by dual fluorescence analysis flow cytometry of peripheral lymphocyte populations as described in Example 31.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor

The present invention in its various aspects is directed to Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor ("NIF"), a protein that inhibits neutrophil activity and which is not an antibody, an integrin, a selectin or a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of adhesive proteins and which, when isolated from a parasitic worm, is a glycoprotein. Recombinant NIFs produced by certain expression systems are not glycosylated. Such non-glycosylated NIFs are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

The inhibition of neutrophil activity by the NIFs of the present invention includes but is not limited to inhibition of one or more of the following activities by neutrophils: release of hydrogen peroxide, release of superoxide anion, release of myeloperoxidase, release of elastase, homotypic neutrophil aggregation, adhesion to plastic surfaces, adhesion to vascular endothelial cells, chemotaxis, transmigration across a monolayer of endothelial cells and phagocytosis. Preferred assays include those where inhibition of neutrophil activity is demonstrated by an in vitro assay which determines adhesion of neutrophils to vascular endothelial cells, release of hydrogen peroxide from neutrophils, homotypic neutrophil aggregation or adhesion of neutrophils to plastic surfaces. Preferred NIFs would have an IC₅₀ of about 500 Nm or less, more preferably less than 100 Nm, as measured by one of these neutrophil activity assays. An IC₅₀ is that concentration of a NIF giving 50% inhibition of the measured activity (see Example 1).

The NIFs of the present invention are further characterized as also having the ability to bind to the CD11b/CD18 receptor (see Example 14). Preferred assays for determining the binding of NIF to CD11b/CD18 is described in Example 1(F).

The NIFs of the present invention are further characterized as also having the ability to bind to the I-domain portion of the CD11b/CD18 receptor (see Example 32). A preferred assay for determining the binding of the NIF to the I-domain portion is described in Example 32.

The NIFs of the present invention may be further characterized as having eosinophil inhibitory activity. A preferred assay for determining eosinophil inhibitory activity is the inhibition of eosinophil activity demonstrated by an in vitro assay which determines adhesion of neutrophils to vascular endothelial cells as described in Example 29. A preferred NIF would have an IC₅₀ of about 500 Nm or less, more preferably less than 100 Nm, as measured by this eosinophil activity assay.

(a) Enriched Compositions.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to compositions enriched for NIF, comprising NIF and which are a isolated by chromatographic or molecular biology methods, or a combination of both methods, from a parasitic worm, preferably a nematode.

Suitable parasitic worms include those selected from species of the phyla Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Nematomorpha or Acanthocephala. An especially preferred source is endoparasitic hookworm species, such as those found to infect canines. It is believed that certain isoforms of NIF are produced by canine hookworm Ancylostoma species such as Ancylostoma caninum. Another suitable source is the endoparasitic worm species Toxocara canis. Substantially similar compounds may be isolated from other nematode species, as well as from other endoparasites of other phyla. Preferred sources for NIF include parasites, including parasitic worms, particularly endoparasitic nematodes and especially hookworm species, including Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma japonica, Ancylostoma malayanum, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Cyclodontostomum Purvisi, Necator americanus, Necator argentinus, Necator suillus, and Uncinaria stenocephala.

The enriched compositions may be enriched for NIF in one aspect by chromatographic methods, which methods may include chromatography on Concanavalin A Sepharose®, hydroxyapatite or an anion exchange column, gel filtration chromatography preferably using Superdex® 200, C4 reverse phase HPLC, isoelectric focusing or a combination of those methods or equivalent methods used for separating proteins or proteinaceous factors. For example, in place of Concanavalin A, other immobilized lectins may be used. In place of Superdex® 200, other acrylamide- or agarose-based gel filtration media which fractionate proteins in the appropriate molecular weight range may be used; these include those sold under the tradenames, Sephacryl® and Superose® (Pharmacia).

According to a preferred embodiment, the enriched composition is comprised of NIF. The NIF therein is a glycoprotein derived from or isolated from a parasitic worm, preferably a nematode, and more preferably a hookworm species, especially a canine hookworm species or, alternatively, a Toxocara species, or a compound, preferably a protein, which is substantially similar to said glycoprotein. It is believed that certain isoforms of said glycoprotein are produced by the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum. By substantially similar is meant that the compound exhibits selective neutrophil inhibitory activity similar to that of the glycoprotein, and, preferably has an IC₅₀ of about 500 Nm or less, more preferably less than 100 Nm, as measured by neutrophil activity assays such as those described herein.

(B) Glycoprotein NIF and Isoforms.

In another aspect, the NIFs of the present invention comprise a purified glycoprotein. A NIF may be determined to be a glycoprotein by evaluating binding to Concanavalin A Sepharose (see Example 2(B)) and by positive testing as a glycoprotein in GlycoTrack™ diagnostic assay for the presence of carbohydrate groups (see Example 7).

One glycoprotein having neutrophil inhibitory activity which was isolated from canine hookworms has the following characteristics: This glycoprotein is acidic and exhibits an isoelectric point of about 4.5 as determined by isoelectric focusing (see Example 3). It has an observed molecular weight of about 41,000 daltons (±3,000) as determined by laser-desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry (see Example 6). Its behavior when subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that it contained multiple disulfide bonds, since the reduced glycoprotein migrated on the gel at a significantly higher apparent molecular weight (see Example 5). The glycoprotein was demonstrated to specifically inhibit neutrophil activity and not to act as a general cytotoxin in another cell adhesion assay (see Example 13). This glycoprotein was demonstrated to inhibit neutrophil adhesion to vascular endothelial cells and homotypic neutrophil aggregation. One such enriched composition (see Example 2(D)) exhibited an IC₅₀ of about 10Nm. An IC₅₀ is that concentration of inhibitor giving 50% inhibition of the measured activity (see Example 1). This glycoprotein was demonstrated to inhibit peritoneal inflammatory response when administered intraperitoneally or intravenously in an animal model of acute inflammation (see Example 16). This enriched composition was demonstrated to inhibit hydrogen peroxide release from neutrophils (see Example 1(E)) and neutrophil adhesion/spreading on plastic (see Example 1(C)). The Example 2(D) preparation had an IC₅₀ of about 10 Nm. An enriched composition of the neutrophil function inhibitory factor was shown to have no inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation (see Example 13).

A second glycoprotein having neutrophil inhibitory activity has been isolated from Toxocara canis. This glycoprotein has an observed molecular weight of about 20,000 daltons as determined by molecular sieve chromatography. This glycoprotein was demonstrated to inhibit neutrophil adhesion to vascular endothelial cells and neutrophil adhesion/spreading on plastic.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to methods for making enriched compositions comprising NIF, wherein such compositions are isolated from natural sources which may include but are not limited to the parasitic worms.

One preferred embodiment comprises isolating these enriched compositions by chromatographic methods, which methods would include chromatography on Concanavalin A-Sepharose®, hydroxyapatite or an anion exchange column, gel filtration chromatography preferably using Superdex® 200, C4 reverse phase HPLC, isoelectric focusing or a combination of those methods or equivalent methods used for separating proteins o proteinaceous factors. For example, in place of Concanavalin A-, other immobilized lectins may be used. In place of Superdex® 200, other acrylamide- or agarose-based gel filtration media which fractionate proteins in the appropriate molecular weight range may be used; these include those sold under the tradenames, Sephacryl® and Superose® (Pharmacia). Preferred methods of preparing enriched compositions comprising NIF are provided which comprise subjecting a lysate from a parasitic worm to the following isolation steps (a) chromatography on Concavalin-A Sepharose®, and (b) gel filtration on Superdex® 200, and (c) chromatography on ceramic hydroxyapatite. The enriched composition may be further enriched for NIF subjecting it to the further isolation step of reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a C4 column. Examples of methods of preparing the enriched compositions according to the present invention are described in Examples 2 to 5.

The enriched compositions comprising NIF isolated by chromatographic methods are at least about 50% pure, that is, they contain at least about 50% NIF. Preferably, the composition is enriched at least about 200-fold. According to another preferred embodiment, substantially pure Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor is prepared. By "substantially pure" is meant at least about 90 percent pure. More preferably the Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor so prepared is chromatographically pure.

It is believed that a NIF isolated from a particular source may include multiple isoforms. Accordingly such isoforms are considered to be scope of the present invention. Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention is directed to a NIF which includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of

(a) Arg-X₁ -X₂ -Phe-Leu-X₃ -X₄ -His-Asn-Gly-Tyr-Arg-Ser-X₅ -Leu-Ala-Leu-Gly-His-X₆ -X₇ -Ile SEQ ID NO.1!, wherein X₁ is Leu or Arg; X₂ is Gln, Lys or Arg; X₃ is Ala or Arg; X₄ is Leu or Met; X₅ is Lys, Arg, Leu or Ile; X₆ is Val or Ile; and X₇ is Ser, Gly or Asn;

(b) Ala-X₈ -X₉ -Ala-Ser-X₁₀ -Met-Arg-X₁₁ -Leu-X₁₂ -Tyr-Asp-Cys-X₁₃ -Ala-Glu-X₁₄ -Ser-Ala-Tyr-X₁₅ -Ser-Ala SEQ ID NO.2!, wherein X₈ is His or Pro; X₉ is Thr, Arg or Ser; X₁₀ is Arg or Lys; X₁₁ is Ile or Tyr; X₁₂ is Asp, Lys or Glu; X₁₃ is Asp or Glu; X₁₄ is Gly, Lys or Arg; and X₁₅ is Glu, Met, Thr or Val;

(c) Ser-X₁₆ -Phe-Ala-Asn-X₁₇ -Ala-Trp-Asp-X₁₈ -Arg-Glu-Lys-X₉ -Gly-Cys-Ala-Val-Val-X₂₀ -Cys SEQ ID NO.3!, wherein X₁₆ is Asn or Asp; X₁₇ is Val or Leu; X₁₈ is Ala or Thr; X₁₉ is Leu, Val or Phe; and X₂₀ is Thr, Lys or Asn;

(d) His-Val-Val-Cys-His-X₂₁ -X₂₂ -Pro-Lys SEQ ID NO.4!, wherein X₂₁ is Tyr or Ile; X₂₂ is Gly or no residue;

(e) Ile-Tyr-X₂₃ -X₂₄ -Gly-X₂₅ -Pro-Cys-X₂₆ -X₂₇ -Cys-X₂₈ -X₂₉ -Tyr SEQ ID NO.5!, wherein X₂₃ is Thr, Ser, Lys or Glu; X₂₄ is Thr, Val or Ile; X₂₅ is Val, Lys or Thr; X₂₆ is Arg, Ser or Asp; X₂₇ is Asn, Gly, Asp or Arg; X₂₈ is Asn, Ser or Thr; and X₂₉ is Gly, Glu or Asp; and

(f) cys-X₃₀ -X₃₁ -Asp-X₃₂ -Gly-Val-Cys-X₃₃ -Ile SEQ ID NO.6!, wherein X₃₀ is His, Ile or Asn; X₃₁ is Ala, Pro or Asp; X₃₂ is Glu, Val, Asp or Ile; X₃₃ is Ile, Val or Phe.

The NIF may include from 1 to 6 of amino acid sequence (a) to (f) above. Preferably the NIF includes all of amino acid sequences (a) to (f). Preferably, the listed amino acid sequences appear in the following order in the protein (from amino terminal end to carboxy terminal end): (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f). Additional amino acid residues or peptide sequences may be interspersed between the above sequences or may be located at the amino terminal and/or carboxy terminal end of the protein (for example, see FIGS. 7 and 8). The amino acid sequences of some of the NIF isoforms containing one or more of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) are shown in FIGS. 9 for canine hookworm NIF, in FIG. 16 for Ancylostoma caninum NIF and in FIG. 19 for Ancylostoma ceylanicum NIF. Preferred are NIFs comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in FIG. 8 SEQ ID NO.82!.

According to the present invention, included are NIFs which have one or more of amino acid sequences (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) and exhibit neutrophil inhibitory activity in at least one of the in vitro assay. Suitable assays include those assays which determine adhesion of neutrophils to vascular endothelial cells, release of hydrogen peroxide from neutrophils, homotypic neutrophil aggregation and adhesion of neutrophils to plastic surfaces. Preferred are NIFs which have an IC₅₀ of about 500 Nm or less, more preferably less than 100 Nm, as measured by one these neutrophil activity assays and which do not substantially inhibit platelet aggregation at such neutrophil inhibitory concentrations. An IC₅₀ is that concentration of a NIF giving 50% inhibition of the measured activity (see Example 1).

The NIFs of the present invention are further characterized as also having the ability to bind to the CD11b/CD18 receptor (see Example 14). Preferred assays for determining the binding of NIF to CD11b/CD18 receptor are described in Example 1(F).

The NIFs of the present invention are further characterized as also having the ability to bind to the I-domain portion of the CD11b/CD18 receptor (See Example 32). A preferred assay for determining the binding of NIF to the I-domain portion is described in Example 32.

The NIFs of the present invention are also further characterized as having eosinophil inhibitory activity. A preferred assay for determining eosinophil inhibitory activity is the inhibition of eosinophil activity demonstrated by an in vitro assay which determines adhesion of neutrophils to vascular endothelial cells as described in Example 29. Preferred are NIFs having an IC₅₀ of about 500 Nm or less, more preferably less than 100 Nm, as measured by this eosinophil activity assay.

(C) Recombinant NIFs.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to NIFs made by methods comprising hybridizing the nucleic acid molecules from a source suspected to contain a NIF to certain oligonucleotide primers or CDNA made from such primers. Such NIFs exhibit neutrophil inhibitory activity. In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to these methods of making NIFs.

In one preferred aspect, the present invention is directed to NIFs comprising an amino acid sequence which is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence which is sufficiently complementary to hybridize to a primer derived from the amino acid sequence of a NIF. Preferred in the PCR cloning method are single stranded DNA primers of 20-100 nucleotides derived from the sequence of NIF from Ancylostoma canium. Preferred are primers having the following characteristics: limited degeneracy; adherence to codon usage preferences of the particular species from which the library is constructed and primers that target sequences which are conserved among the twelve Ancylostoma caninum NIF isoforms. Each PCR reaction utilizes two primers: a 5-primer that corresponds to the sense strand and a 3'-primer that corresponds to the antisense strand of the NIF coding sequence. Especially preferred are the primers

5-CTCGAATTCT(GATC)GC(ATC)AT(ATC)(CT)T(GATC)GG(ATC)TGGGC-3' SEQ ID NO.7! and

5'-CTCGAATTCTT(TC)TCTGG(GA)AA(GA)CG(GA)TC(GA)AA-3' SEQ ID NO.8!.

The nucleotides within enclosing parentheses are redundant in that any one nucleotide may be used at the position enclosed by such parentheses.

The nucleic acid sequence of the DNA primers are preferably derived from the sequence of NIF from Ancylostoma canium. As described above, one example of NIF of the present invention comprises a glycoprotein which has been isolated in substantially pure form. Using procedures known in the art, one of ordinary skill in the art can use this protein to derive its amino acid sequence. For example, the protein may be analyzed to determine an N-terminal sequence, or fragments of the protein can be produced by enzymatic or other specific digestion procedures and the sequence of the terminal amino acids of those fragments determined. Such amino acid sequences, even if only between five and six contiguous amino acids in length, will provide sufficient information to determine potential DNA sequences of a gene encoding this protein.

If two or three such amino acid fragments are sequenced, a plurality of oligonucleotides can be synthesized using reported procedures, and such oligonucleotides can be used to probe a genomic or CDNA library from hookworm (or other source) to isolate the gene or fragments thereof encoding the sequenced protein. Those in the art will recognize that these oligonucleotides can be designed using standard parameters such that the oligonucleotide is chosen to encode the chosen amino acid sequence. For example, it is common to use a mixture of oligonucleotides as probes for any particular sequence of amino acids, with each oligonucleotide having the same nucleotide base sequence except at specific bases which are varied to take into account the redundancy of the codons that may code for any particular amino acid. It is of course desirable to select an amino acid sequence which is encoded by as few different oligonucleotides as possible. In addition, the various redundant codons may be specifically selected to represent those codons that are most preferred in, for example, hookworm nucleic acid.

In addition, the isolated pure NIF protein can be used to obtain antibodies using known procedures. Such antibodies may include monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies and can be used to screen bacteriophage lambd-agt11 expression libraries containing other source (e.g., hookworm) DNA. In this manner, any particular clone which includes nucleic acid encoding a NIF can be readily identified using standard procedures.

Genomic DNA libraries of a hookworm, for example, can be formed using standard procedures to isolate the genomic DNA of the hookworm, fractionating that DNA using either a random procedure, such as sonication, or a specific procedure such as restriction endonuclease digestion and ligation of those fragments into an appropriate vector, such as a bacteriophage lambda, plasmid or cosmid vector. Such a library can be screened for useful clones by nucleic acid hybridization using the oligonucleotide mixtures described above. More preferably, however, a CDNA library can be constructed by isolation of total hookworm RNA, passage of that RNA over an oligo-dT column to purify the poly(A)-containing RNA (i.e., messenger RNA), and reverse transcription of such RNA to produce DNA fragments representative of the RNA (i.e., CDNA). These CDNA fragments can be inserted using standard procedures into any desired vector, for example, an expression vector such as a commercially available E. coli expression vector such as-bacteriophage lambda-gt11 (for expression in E. coli), or into a plasmid pcDNA-1 which can be expressed in mammalian COS7 cells.

The biological activity of the protein expressed by individual clones of the plasmid expression library can be readily assayed using the neutrophil inhibitory activity assays described herein or other suitable assays. Alternatively, the antibodies described above can be used to probe for immunoreactive protein expressed from clones in the bacteriophage expression libraries (e.g., lambda-gt11). It is particularly preferred to screen various libraries in sub-pools, for example of 999 clones at a time, to determine which of those sub-pools includes a positive clone. When a positive clone is isolated a grid of the 999 colonies can be formed on a 33×33 plate and each of the 33 clones in each row and column in the plate assayed simultaneously (i.e., in 66 preparations) to identify the desired clone.

Once the desired clone is isolated, its structure is analyzed by standard procedures, for example, by DNA sequencing to determine whether it encodes the whole of the desired protein. If it does not, that clone can be used to screen further CDNA or genomic libraries for full-length clones, or the DNA can be used to hybrid select RNA present in the hookworm, or other source, and more selective CDNA libraries formed from that RNA using procedures described above.

In another preferred aspect, the present invention is directed to NIFs comprising an amino acid sequence which is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence which is sufficiently complementary to hybridize to CDNA probes derived from the amino acid sequence of a NIF. Preferred are probes having at least about 12 nucleotides which are complementary to a portion of the sequence of FIG. 8.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the oligonucleotide primers can be used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to generate complementary DNA probes. These probes can be used to isolate NIF from other sources or isoforms from a single source. Preferred are animal, fungal, bacterial or viral sources. In the PCR cloning method, single stranded DNA primers of 20-100 nucleotides are derived from the sequence of NIF from Ancylostoma canium. Preferred primers have the following characteristics: limited degeneracy; adherence to codon usage preferences of the particular species from which the library is constructed and primers that target sequences which are conserved among the twelve Ancylostoma NIF isoforms. Each PCR reaction utilizes two primers: a 5-primer that corresponds to the sense strand and a 3'-primer that corresponds to the antisense strand of the NIF coding sequence. Especially preferred are the primers

5'-CTCGAATTCT(GATC)GC(ATC)AT(ATC)(CT)T(GATC)GG(ATC)TGGGC-3' SEQ ID NO.7!and

5'-CTCGAATTCTT(TC)TCTGG(GA)AA(GA)CG(GA)TC(GA)AA-3' SEQ ID NO.8!. The nucleotides within enclosing parentheses are redundant in that any one nucleotide may be used at the position enclosed by such parentheses.

Single stranded CDNA template is generated using poly(A)⁺ or total RNA prepared from cells of the tissue or organism to be screened. RNA is primed with either random hexanucleotides or oligo d(T) and extended with reverse transcriptase. This reaction product is amplified using an appropriate DNA polymerase (e.g., Taq polymerase), with a sense and antisense primer, with an appropriate thermocycler.

A wide variety of polymerase chain reaction conditions may be employed, but initial experiments preferably involve relatively low stringency annealing and elongation steps. Preferred conditions are: cycles 1-3, denaturation at 94° C. for 1 minute, annealing at 37° C. for 1 minute and elongation at 72° C. for two minutes. The ramp time between annealing and elongation steps is extended to at least 2 minutes for these cycles; cycles 4-40, denaturation at 94° C. for 1 minute, annealing at 45° C. for 1 minute and elongation at 72° C. for two minutes. In subsequent experiments, annealing temperature is increased until a single product results from amplification with each primer pair.

Amplification products from individual amplification reactions are used as hybridization probes to screen genomic DNA or CDNA libraries constructed from the tissue from which PCR was effected. DNA or CDNA from any recombinant plaque or colony that hybridized to these amplification products is selected for further analyses.

NIF complementary DNAs isolated using the techniques described above are subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis using the procedure of dideoxy sequencing (Sanger et al, 1977, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 74:5463-5467).

NIF CDNA isolates containing open reading frames (i.e., initiating with a methionine and terminating with a TAA, TGA or TAG stop codon) are inserted into suitable vectors for protein expression in either bacterial, yeast, insect or mammalian cells. Expression systems comprise vectors designed to secrete recombinant protein (i.e., fusion of CDNA isolate open reading frame with a known secretion signal sequence for that cell type) into the culture medium. Vectors lacking a secretion signal sequence are also used for expression. Either conditioned media or cell lysate, depending on the expression system used, is tested for inhibitory activity using one or more of the following criteria for neutrophil activation: release of hydrogen peroxide, release of superoxide anion, release of myeloperoxidase, release of elastase, homotypic neutrophil aggregation, adhesion to plastic surfaces, adhesion to vascular endothelial cells, chemotaxis, transmigration across a monolayer of endothelial cells and phagocytosis.

As discussed above and as described in Example 10, oligonucleotide primers derived from the peptide sequences of NIF (isolated from the hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum) were used in conjunction with the polymerase chain reaction to amplify NIF CDNA sequences. These NIF sequences were used in turn to probe a hookworm CDNA library. Ten full-length and six partial clone isoforms of NIF were isolated in addition to the protypical NIF-1FL full-length clone. This example illustrates the utility of this technique for isolation of sequences that are structurally related to NIF.

Applicants note that by using techniques such as those described above, as well as similar and equivalent techniques, DNA sequences which encode NIF from other animal, fungal, bacterial or viral source may be isolated and used to express recombinant NIF.

Should immunoreactive material be expressed from an expression library, the expression vectors described above, or derivatives thereof, can be used for expression of recombinant protein with biological activity. Such recombinant protein is useful in this invention.

Using one example of a NIF of the present invention, peptide fragments were produced and their amino acid sequences determined. This experiment is described in Example 9. The amino acid sequences obtained for the proteolytic fragments are set forth in FIG. 7.

An example of NIFs being cloned from a canine hookworm CDNA library as described in Examples 10 and 21. The nucleotide sequence for the CDNA of one of the isolated clones (clone 1FL) is depicted in FIG. 8. Deduced partial amino acid sequences for other isolated NIF isoform clones are depicted in FIGS. 9 and 16.

By using the techniques described herein and other techniques in the art, NIFs may be isolated from any source, whether, animal, bacterial, fungal, viral or other source suspected of having a NIF. Such NIFs and nucleic acid sequences encoding them may be isolated by methods such as probing a genomic or CDNA library from the source suspected of having a NIF using oligonucleotide probes sufficiently complementary to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a NIF such as those sequences depicted in FIG. 8, and then isolating and expressing those nucleic acid sequences which hybridize to the probes as described herein. Such probes have a sufficient number of nucleotides to describe a unique sequence. Typically such probes will have at least about 12 nucleotides. One preferred group of probes include those of the sequences:

5'-CTCGAATTCT(GATC)GC(ATC)AT(ATC)-(CT)T(GATC)GG(ATC)TGGG C-3' SEQ ID NO.7! and 5'-CTCGAATTCTT(TC)TC-TGG(GA)AA(GA)CG(GA)TC(GA)AA-3' SEQ ID NO.8!. The nucleotides within enclosing parentheses are redundant in that any one nucleotide may be used at the position enclosed by such parentheses.

Alternatively, NIF proteins and nucleic acids coding for such proteins may be isolated by probing a sample of nucleic acid from a source suspected of having a NIF with an oligonucleotide probe having at least about 12 nucleotides which is complementary to a nucleic acid sequence known to encode a NIF, such as the sequence depicted in FIG. 8 and isolating those nucleic acid sequences, such as a gene, which are sufficiently complementary to the oligonucleotide probe to hybridize thereto. The isolated nucleic acid sequence may then be cloned and expressed using art techniques.

(D) Isolated Nucleic Acid Molecules.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of NIF. The DNA isolate may also include additional sequences which do not code for portions of the finished protein, such as introns, and/or sequences which code for intervening amino acid residues or peptides in addition to the above peptide sequences. Preferred isolated nucleic acid molecules are those which encode a NIF comprising at least one amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of

(a) Arg-X₁ -X₂ -Phe-Leu-X₃ -X₄ -His-Asn-Gly-Tyr-Arg-Ser-X₅ -Leu-Ala-Leu-Gly-His-X₆ -X₇ -Ile SEQ ID NO.17!, wherein X₁ is Leu or Arg; X₂ is Gln, Lys or Arg; X₃ is Ala or Arg; X₄ is Leu or Met; X₅ is Lys, Arg, Leu or Ile; X₆ is Val or Ile; and X₇ is Ser, Gly or Asn;

(b) Ala-X₈ -X₉ -Ala-Ser-X₁₀ -Met-Arg-X₁₁ -Leu-X₁₂ -Tyr-Asp-Cys-X₁₃ -Ala-Glu-X₁₄ -Ser-Ala-Tyr-X₁₅ -Ser-Ala SEQ ID NO.2!, wherein X₈ is His or Pro; X₉ is Thr, Arg or Ser; X₁₀ is Arg or Lys; X₁₁ is Ile or Tyr; X₁₂ is Asp, Lys or Glu; X₁₃ is Asp or Glu; X₁₄ is Gly, Lys or Arg; and X₁₅ is Glu, Met, Thr or Val;

(c) Ser-X₁₆ -Phe-Ala-Asn-X₁₇ -Ala-Trp-Asp-X₁₈ -Arg-Glu-Lys-X₁₉ -Gly-Cys-Ala-Val-Val-X₂₀ -Cys SEQ ID NO.3!, wherein X₁₆ is Asn or Asp; X₁₇ is Val or Leu; X₁₈ is Ala or Thr; X₁₉ is Leu, Val or Phe; and X₂₀ is Thr, Lys or Asn;

(d) His-Val-Val-Cys-His-X₂₁ -X₂₂ -Pro-Lys SEQ ID NO.4!, wherein X₂₁ is Tyr or Ile; X₂₂ is Gly or no residue;

(e) Ile-Tyr-X₂₃ -X₂₄ -Gly-X₂₅ -Pro-Cys-X₂₆ -X₂₇ -Cys -X₂₈ -X₂₉ -Tyr SEQ ID NO.5!, wherein X₂₃ is Thr, Ser, Lys or Glu; X₂₄ is Thr, Val or Ile; X₂₅ is Val, Lys or Thr; X₂₆ is Arg, Ser or Asp; X₂₇ is Asn, Gly, Asp or Arg; X₂₈ is Asn, Ser or Thr; and X₂₉ is Gly, Glu or Asp; and

(f) Cys-X₃₀ -X₃₁ -AsP-X₃₂ -Gly-Val-Cys-X₃₃ -Ile SEQ ID NO.6!, wherein X₃₀ is His, Ile or Asn; X₃₁ is Ala, Pro or Asp; X₃₂ is Glu, Val, Asp or Ile ; and X₃₃ is Ile, Val or Phe. Especially preferred isolated nucleic acid molecules include those wherein its the coding region has the nucleotide sequence and/or codes for a protein having the deduced amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 8 SEQ ID NO.82!.

(E) Expression of NIF.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to methods for making biologically active NIFs, wherein such NIFs are expressed intracellularly and are optionally secreted; expression vectors encoding NIF; and host cells transformed with these expression vectors which express and, optionally, secrete NIF.

The CDNA encoding NIF may be inserted into a replicable vector for expression, resulting in the synthesis of biologically active recombinant NIF. Many vectors are available for expression of heterologous proteins and selection of the appropriate vector will depend primarily on the desired properties of the host cell. Each of the available vectors contain various components specific to the host cell to be transformed. The vector components or control elements generally include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: a signal sequence, an origin of replication, one or more marker genes, a promoter, an enhancer element and a transcription termination sequence. Once the expression vector containing the inhibitor is constructed, a suitable host cell is transfected or transformed with the expression vector, and recombinant NIF is purified either from the host cell itself or the host cell growth medium.

In general, the signal sequence may be a component of the vector, or it may be encoded by the NIF DNA that is inserted into the vector. If the native inhibitory factor is a secreted gene product (i.e., from the hookworm (or other source) cells), then the native pro-NIF from hookworm DNA may encode a signal sequence at the amino terminus of the polypeptide that is cleaved during post-translational processing of the polypeptide to form the mature NIF.

All vectors contain a nucleic acid sequence that enables the vector to replicate in one or more selected host cells. Generally, in cloning vectors this sequence is one that enables the vector to replicate independently of the host chromosomal DNA, and includes origins of replication or autonomously replicating sequences. Such sequences are well known for a variety of bacterial, yeast, insect and mammalian cells. The origin of replication from the plasmid PBR322 is suitable for most for most gram-negative bacteria, the 2m plasmid origin is suitable for yeast, the baculovirus origin is suitable for some insect cells (e.g., Sf9 cells; ATCC# CRL1711) and various viral origins (e.g., SV40, adenovirus) are useful for cloning vectors in mammalian cells.

Expression vectors preferably contain a selection gene, also termed a selectable marker. This gene encodes a protein necessary for the survival or growth of transformed host cells grown in selective culture medium. Host cells not transformed with the vector containing the selection gene will not survive in the culture medium. Typical selection genes encode proteins that (a) confer resistance to antibiotics or other toxins, e.g., ampicillin, neomycin or methotrexate, (b) complement auxotrophic deficiencies, or (c) supply critical nutrients not available from complex media.

Expression vectors contain promoters that are recognized by the host organism. Promoters are untranslated sequences located upstream (5') to the start codon of a structural gene (generally within about 100 to 1000 base pairs) that control the transcription and translation of a particular nucleic acid sequence, such as hookworm NIF, to which they are operably linked. A large number of promoters recognized by a variety of potential host cells are well known. These promoters are operably linked to DNA encoding the NIF by inserting the latter into the vector in a way such that the 5' terminus of the NIF DNA is in close linear proximity to the promoter.

Transcription of a DNA encoding the NIFs of this invention by higher eukaryotes is often increased by inserting an enhancer sequence into the vector. (For example, see, Kriegler, M., 1991, Gene Transfer and Expression, pages 4-18, W. H. Freeman, New York). Enhancers are cis-acting elements of DNA, usually about 10-300 base pairs in length, that act on a promoter to increase its transcription. Enhancers are relatively orientation and position independent. Typically, one will use an enhancer from a eukaryotic cell virus for expression in mammalian cells. Examples include the SV40 enhancer, the cytomegalovirus early promoter enhancer and the adenovirus enhancers.

Expression vectors used in eukaryotic (i.e., non-bacterial) host cells will also contain sequences necessary for the termination of transcription and for stabilizing the mRNA. Such sequences are commonly available from the 5' end and, occasionally from the 3' untranslated regions of eukaryotic or viral DNAs.

Preferred expression vectors of the present invention include but are not limited to PHIL7SP-N1c10, PSG5/NIF1FLCR1, Pma5-NI1/3 PAN-NIF-1FL, pYAM7SP-hNIF1/Δ,Gl1-5, pYAM7SP-hNIF1/Δ,Gl1-5, pYAMSP-AcaNIF4, pYAMSP-AcaNIF6, pYAMSP-AcaNIF9, pYAMSP-AcaNIF24 and pAN-AceNIF3, the construction of which is described in the Examples.

Suitable host cells for the expression vectors described herein include bacterial, yeast, insect or mammalian cells. Preferred bacteria include E. coli strains, preferred yeast include Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris, a preferred insect cell line is Sf9 (ATCC# CRL 1711) include preferred mammalian cell lines are COS-7 (ATCC# CRL 1651), CHO dhfr⁻ (ATCC# CRL 9096), CHO-K1 (ATCC# CCL 61) and HeLa (ATCC# CCL 2). These examples of host cells are illustrative rather than limiting. Preferably the host cell should secrete minimal amounts of proteolytic enzymes. Particularly suitable host cells for the expression of glycosylated NIF are derived from multicellular organisms. Such host cells are capable of complex post-translational processing and glycosylation of expressed proteins.

Host cells are transfected and preferably transformed with the above-described expression vectors of this invention and cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for inducing promoters and selecting transformants. Transfection refers to the taking up-of an expression vector by a host cell. Numerous methods of transfection are known to the ordinarily skilled artisan, for example, calcium phosphate coprecipitation, spheroplasting transformation and electroporation. Successful transfection is generally recognized when any indication of the operation of this vector occurs within the host cell. Transformation means introducing DNA into an organism so that the DNA is replicable, either as an extrachromosomal element or chromosomal integration. Depending on the host cell used, transformation is done using standard techniques appropriate to such cells (e.g., calcium chloride or electroporation for bacterial cells; spheroplasting or electroporation for yeast cells; calcium phosphate or electroporation for insect and mammalian cells).

The recombinant hookworm NIF preferably is recovered from the culture medium as secreted polypeptide, although it may also be recovered from host cell lysates when expressed intracellularly without a signal or secretory sequence. The expressed hookworm NIF may be purified from culture medium or from cell lysates by a variety of separation techniques including, but not limited to, gel filtration, affinity and ion exchange chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography, C4 reverse-phase HPLC and preparative isoelectric chromatography.

(F) Mutant NIFs.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to mutant NIFs comprising the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 8, wherein one or more of asparagine residues at positions 10, 18, 87, 110, 130, 197 or 223 is replaced by an glutamine residue.

Amino acid sequence variants of NIF may be prepared by introducing nucleotide changes into the DNA which encodes NIF, isolated as described above. Such variants include substitutions of residues within the amino acid sequence of the NIF. Any combination of substitutions can be made to arrive at the final construct, provided that the final construct possesses certain desired characteristics. The desired characteristics include, but are not limited to, an increased potency over the wild-type NIF and alteration of the amount of glycosylation of NIFs. Once variant NIF DNAs have been constructed, variant recombinant forms of NIF may be synthesized utilizing expression systems as described above.

One possible method for preparing variants of NIF is mutagenesis with base-specific chemical mutagens as described in detail by Pine and Huang (1987, Methods Enzymol. 154, 415-430). Another approach is site-directed mutagenesis, for example, as described in Stanssens et al. (1989), Nucl. Acids Res., 17: 4441-4454. For example, Example 25 describes the substitution of certain asparagine residues in the amino acid sequence of a NIF referred to as 1FL (see FIG. 8) by site-specific mutagenesis.

The asparagine residues at positions 10, 18, 87, 110, 130, 197 and 223 of the amino acid sequence of NIF isoform, 1FL, are believed to be sites associated with the potential N-linked glycosylation of this isoform. Using the stepwise site-directed procedure of Stanssens et al. and the five oligonucleotides described in Example 25, asparagine residues at positions 10, 18, 87, 110 and 130 of 1FL were replaced by glutamine residues to yield a mutant NIF. Subsequently, the cDNA encoding this mutant was further mutagenized by the same procedure using other oligonucleotides described to produce a mutant NIF, wherein the asparagine residues at positions 197 and 223 of the amino acid sequence of 1FL were also replaced with glutamine residues. In either case, the expressed mutant NIFs were found to have neutrophil inhibitory activity.

2. PEPTIDE FRAGMENTS

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to peptide fragments having neutrophil inhibitory activity which are prepared by proteolytic or chemical methods starting with the chromatographically pure NIF of the present invention.

Active peptide fragments, with or without sugar moieties, may be generated by using enzymatic or chemical techniques. Proteolytic cleavage can be accomplished by digestion of the inhibitor with one or more of the following enzymes: chymotrypsin, trypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, endoproteinase Glu-C, endoproteinase Lys-C, endoproteinase Arg-C, or endoproteinase Asp-N (Carrey, E. A., 1989 Protein Structure, A Practical Approach, pp. 117-143, T. E. Creighton, ed. IRL Press, New York). Chemical digestion of the inhibitor may be accomplished by cyanogen bromide, hydroxylamine, or 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoate cleavage (Carrey, E. A., 1989, ibid.). Sugar moieties can be removed from either the peptide fragments or intact neutrophil inhibitory protein enzymatically with one or more of the following enzymes: glycopeptidase F, endoglycosidase H, endoglycosidase F, or endoglycosidase D as described by Keesey (Keesey, J., 1987 Biochemica Information, pp. 147-165, J. Keesey, ed., Boehringer Mannheim Biochemicals, Indianapolis). Alternatively, glycosylation of the intact inhibitor may be suppressed by expression of the protein in bacterial cells or by the inclusion of inhibitors of glycosylation in the eukaryotic cell culture growth medium. Inhibitors of glycosylation and their uses are described in the art (e.g., Keesey, J. 1987 Biochemica Information, pp. 135-141, J. Keesey, ed., Boehringer Mannheim Biochemicals, Indianapolis). Separation of active fragments from inactive fragments may be accomplished by conventional, low, medium, or high pressure chromatographic techniques known in the art.

3. Antibodies

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which have the ability to bind to NIFS.

To prepare antibodies to NIF, any one of a number of conventional techniques which are known in the art can be employed. In one such technique, polyclonal antibodies are synthesized by injecting an animal (for example a rabbit) with one or more NIF of the present invention. After injection, the animal produces antibodies to these NIFs. When the antibody concentration (or titer) reaches a sufficient level, antibody-containing blood is then drawn from the animal, antiserum is prepared from the blood, and the compound-specific antibody is isolated from other antibodies in the serum by any one of a number of separation techniques (for example, affinity chromatography).

Monoclonal antibodies may be prepared using the techniques of Kohler and Milstein, Nature 256, 495-497 (1975) as well as other conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art. (See, e.g., Harlow and Lane, Antibodies. A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1988) the disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference). Preferred monoclonal antibodies include those directed to the NIF isoform, 1FL, whose amino acid sequence is depicted in FIG. 8 and which are immunoglobulins of the IgG class. Especially preferred monoclonal antibodies are those which bind to the same epitope on this NIF as is bound by the monoclonal antibody, 3D2. The monoclonal antibody-referred to as 3D2 is a preferred embodiment. The preparation of 3D2 is described in Example 26.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to hybridomas which produce such monoclonal antibodies. These hybridomas are produced by conventional techniques such as those described by Harlow and Lane, Id., the disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference. The preparation of a preferred hybridoma is described in Example 26.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to methods of affinity purification of NIF from various sources and impure compositions of NIF derived from such sources using an antibody to NIF. Preferred method of isolating NIF would comprise the step of contacting a sample thought to contain a NIF with a monoclonal antibody which is capable of binding to said NIF. Preferred as the monoclonal antibody is either the monoclonal antibody, 3D2, or a monoclonal antibody binding to the same epitope on said NIF as is bound by the monoclonal antibody, 3D2. According to preferred methods of affinity purification the monoclonal antibody is covalently attached to a chromatographic resin. Especially preferred chromatographic resins include Emphaze™ Biosupport Medium (3M Corp.). Examples 27 and 28 describe preparation of a chromatographic resin coupled with the monoclonal antibody, 3D2, and its use to purify NIF from compositions comprising NIF.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to immunoassays using the antibodies against NIF. Depending on the particular use for the immunoassay, an immunoassay format is selected. Some suitable immunoassays are described by Harlow and Lane, Id. (See especially pages 553 to 612), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Immunoassays utilizing the solid phase method or liquid phase method are well known to one skilled in the art of immunoassays. For example, monoclonal antibodies may be used to assay for drugs, hormones and proteins with such assays being in a solid phase or liquid phase format. The preferred methods of the present invention are solid phase assays.

The preferred methods of detecting NIF in a sample comprise contacting a sample thought to contain a NIF with a monoclonal antibody which is capable of binding to such NIF. According to a preferred embodiment, the monoclonal antibody is immobilized onto a plastic surface such polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon and the like. The plastic surface may be configured in the shape of test tube, microspheres, macroscopic beads, microtiter plates and the like. In this embodiment, monoclonal antibodies may be attached to the plastic surface by either covalent coupling or by passive absorption, preferably by passive absorption. Preferred as monoclonal antibodes are those which bind to the same epitope on a NIF as is bound by the monoclonal antibody, 3D2, or the monoclonal antibody, 3D2.

The monoclonal antibody may be contacted simultaneously with sample and a NIF which has been covalently linked to a detectable label. Alternatively, the monoclonal antibody may first be contacted with the sample, then with a NIF which has been covalently linked to a detectable label.

Preferred detectable labels are enzymes, fluorescent compounds or radioisotopes. Especially, preferred detectable labels are enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidise or horseradish peroxidase, or radioisotopes such as iodine-125. The manner of covalently linking such enzymes and radioisotopes to monoclonal antibodies is well known to one skilled in the art of diagnostic assays.

4. Methods of Detecting NIF Mimics and NIF Antagonists

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of detecting in a sample the presence of a NIF mimic which competes with NIF for binding to CD11b/CD18 receptor or the I-domain portion of the CD11b/CD18 receptor. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a NIF antagonist which prevents NIF from binding to the CD11b/CD18 receptor or the I-domain portion of the CD11b/CD18 receptor. The methods comprise contacting said sample with CD11b/CD18 receptor or the I-domain portion of the CD11b/CD18 receptor. NIF mimics and NIF antagonists include but are not limited to small molecules, peptides, peptide analogs or proteins.

In preferred embodiments, NIF mimics or antagonists to be tested are preincubated in solution with neutrophils, or immobilized CD11b/CD18 receptor or a recombinant peptide comprising the I-domain portion of the CD11b/CD18 receptor, and the preincubated solution is then brought into contact with labeled NIF. The effect of test compound on the binding of NIF to neutrophils, immobilized CD11b/CD18 receptor or recombinant peptide comprising the I-domain portion of the CD11b/CD18 receptor is then determined.

In one preferred embodiment, the assay method uses neutrophils which are free in solution. Here, NIF which has been linked to a detectable label, neutrophils and a sample thought to contain a NIF mimic or NIF antagonist are co-incubated in solution for a sufficient time to allow binding to occur. Unbound labeled NIF is removed from bound NIF by methods such as centrifugation, filtration or other suitable methods and bound NIF is determined by means of the detectable label.

In another preferred embodiment, neutrophils are immobilized on a plastic surface by passive absorption or chemical fixation such as by glutaraldehyde or similar chemicals. Labeled NIF is co-incubated with the immobilized neutrophils and a sample thought to contain a NIF mimic or NIF antagonist. Unbound labeled NIF is removed by washing and bound labeled NIF is then determined by means of the detectable label.

In an especially preferred embodiment, CD11b/CD18 receptors from a detergent extract of human leukocytes are captured by anti-CD11b/CD18 monoclonal antibody which is immobilized to a plastic surface. A NIF which is linked to a detectable label or a NIF which can be subsequently linked to a detectable label, and sample thought to contain a NIF mimic or NIF antagonist are co-incubated with the immobilized CD11b/CD18 receptor. After the binding has occurred, unbound NIF is removed by washing. Detectable label is then added which links to NIF rendering it detectable (if the NIF was not originally linked to such label). Bound NIF is then determined by means of the detectable label.

Anti-CD11b/CD18 antibody may be coupled to a plastic surface by covalent coupling or passive absorption, though passive absorption is preferred. Preferred plastic surfaces are polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon and the like, though polystyrene is preferred. The plastic surface may be configured in the shape of test tube, microspheres, macroscopic beads, microtiter plates and the like. A preferred anti-CD11b/CD18 antibody is the monoclonal antibody referred as LM2.

NIF is linked to a detectable label or is capable of being linked to such label during a step of an assay method of the present invention. NIF is linked to a detectable label by covalent coupling using homobifunctional crosslinking reagents such as glutaraldehyde, disuccinimidyl suberate, dimethyl suberimidate and the like. NIF is made capable of being linked to a detectable label during a step of an assay method of the present invention by first linking biotin to NIF and avidin to the detectable label. Preferred detectable labels include enzymes, fluorophores or radioisotopes. Especially preferred detectable labels include alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase, horseradish peroxidase, or iodine-125.

In another especially preferred embodiment, a recombinant peptide comprising the I-domain of the CD11b/CD18 receptor which is complexed to a monoclonal antibody that recognizes a portion of this peptide NIF which is linked to a detectable label or a NIF which can be subsequently linked to a detectable label, and sample thought to contain a NIF mimic or NIF antagonist are co-incubated. After the binding has occurred, a protein ASepharose is added to separate bound from unbound NIF. Setectable label is then added which links to NIF rendering it detectable (if the NIF was not originally linked to such label). Bound NIF is then determined by means of the detectable label.

A NIF mimic or NIF antagonist may be assayed for neutrophil inhibitory activity. Neutrophil inhibiting activity may be demonstrated by an assay such as those assays which determine adhesion of neutrophils to vascular endothelial cells, release of hydrogen peroxide from neutrophils, homotypic neutrophil aggregation and adhesion of neutrophils to plastic surfaces. NIF mimics are characterized as having an IC₅₀ for inhibiting neutrophil activity of about 500 nM or less, though an IC₅₀ is about 100 nM or less is preferred. NIF antagonists are characterized having such an IC₅₀ of about 1,000 nM to about 1 mM, although an IC₅₀ of about 5,000 nM to about 10 nM is preferred. An IC₅₀ is that concentration of a NIF mimic or NIF antagonist giving 50% inhibition of the measured activity (see Example 1).

Optionally a NIF mimic or NIF antagonist may be assayed for eosinophil inhibitory activity. Eosinophil inhibiting activity is demonstrated by an assay which determines adhesion of eosinophils to vascular endothelial cells. If assayed, NIF mimics are characterized as having an IC₅₀ for inhibiting eosinophil activity of about 500 nM or less, though a IC₅₀ is about 100 nM or less is preferred. If assayed, NIF antagonists are characterized having such an IC₅₀ of about 1,000 nM to about 1 mM, though an IC₅₀ of about 5,000 nM to about 10 mM is preferred. An IC₅₀ is that concentration of a NIF mimic or NIF antagonist giving 50% inhibition of the measured activity.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to NIF mimics and NIF antagonists discovered by the above-disclosed methods of detection of this section.

5. Pharmaceutical Formulations and Methods of Treatment

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising NIF.

These pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated and used as tablets, capsules or elixirs for oral administration; suppositories for rectal administration; sterile solutions, suspensions for injectable administration; and the like. The dose and method of administration can be tailored to achieve optimal efficacy but will depend on such factors as weight, diet, concurrent medication and other factors which those skilled in the medical arts will recognize. Generally, an amount between 0.01 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg body weight/day is administered dependent upon the potency of the composition used.

Preferred embodiments encompass pharmaceutical compositions prepared for storage and subsequent administration which comprise a therapeutically effective amount of NIF or an enriched composition of NIF, as described herein in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Acceptable carriers or diluents for therapeutic use are well known in the pharmaceutical art, and are described, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co. (A. R. Gennaro edit. 1985). Preservatives, stabilizers, dyes and even flavoring agents may be provided in the pharmaceutical composition. For example, sodium benzoate, sorbic acid and esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid may be added as preservatives. In addition, antioxidants and suspending agents may be used.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to methods of preventing in a mammal an inflammatory condition characterized by abnormal neutrophil activation or abnormal eosinophil activation comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a NIF or their pharmaceutical compositions. In practicing the preferred methods, NIFs or their pharmaceutical compositions can be used alone or in combination with one another, or in combination with other therapeutic or diagnostic agents. These compositions can be utilized in vivo, ordinarily in a mammal, preferably in a human, or in vitro.

In employing NIFs or their pharmaceutical compositions in vivo, the compositions can be administered to the mammal in a variety of ways, including parenterally, intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, colonically, rectally, nasally or intraperitoneally, employing a variety of dosage forms. As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the useful in vivo dosage to be administered and the particular mode of administration will vary depending upon the mammalian species treated, the particular composition employed, and the specific use for which these compositions are employed. The determination of effective dosage levels, that is the dosage levels necessary to achieve the desired result, will be within the ambit of one skilled in the art. Typically, applications of compositions are commenced at lower dosage levels, with dosage level being increased until the desired effect is achieved.

The dosage for a NIF or its pharmaceutical compositions can range broadly depending upon the desired effects and the therapeutic indication. Typically, suitable dosages will be between about 0.01 mg and 100 mg/kg, preferably between about 0.01 and 10 mg/kg, body weight. Administration is preferably parenteral, such as intravenous on a daily or as-needed basis.

Injectables can be prepared in conventional forms, either as liquid solutions or suspensions, solid forms suitable for solution or suspension in liquid prior to injection, or as emulsions. Suitable excipients are, for example, water, saline, dextrose, mannitol, lactose, lecithin, albumin, sodium glutamate, cysteine hydrochloride or the like. In addition, if desired, the injectable pharmaceutical compositions may contain minor amounts of nontoxic auxiliary substances, such as wetting agents, pH buffering agents, and the like. If desired, absorption enhancing preparations (e.g., liposomes) may be utilized.

6. Utility and Applications

As applicant has noted above, the present invention is directed to inhibitors of the leukocytes, and in a preferred aspect, to those leukocytes which have or express CD11b/CD18 receptors. Leukocytes having or expressing the CD11b/CD18 integrin receptor are well known and include the monocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, large granular lymphocytes (NK cells), and immature and CD5⁺ B cells (Kishimoto, T. K., Larson, R. S., Corbi, A. L., Dustin, M. L., Staunton, D. E., and Spriger, T. A. (1989) Adv. in Immunol. 46,149-182). CD11b/CD18 has been implicated in a variety of leukocyte functions including adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells (Prieto, J., Beatty, P. G., Clark, E. A., and Patarroyo, M. (1988) Immunology 63, 631-637; Wallis, W. J., Hickstein, D. D., Schwartz, B. R., June, C. H., Ochs, H. D., Beatty, P. G., Klebanoff, S. J., and Harlan, J. M. (1986) Blood 67, 1007-1013; Smith, C. W., Marlin, S. D., Rothlein, R., Toman, C., and Anderson, D. C. (1989) J. Clin. Invest. 83, 2008-2017) and release of hydrogen peroxide from neutrophils (Shappell, S. B., Toman, C., Anderson, D. C., Taylor, A. A., Entman, M. L. and Smith, C. W. (1990) J. Immunol. 144, 2702-2711; Von Asmuth, E. J. U., Van Der Linden, C. J., Leeuwenberg, J. F. M., and Buurman, W. A. (1991) J. Immunol. 147,3869-3875). This integrin may play a roll in neutrophil and monocye phagocytosis of opsonized (ie C3bi-coated) targets (Beller, D. I., Springer, T. A., and Schreiber, R. D. (1982) J.Exp. Med. 156,1000-1009). It has also been reported that CD11b/CD18 contributes to elevated natural killer activity against C3bi-coated target cells (Ramos, O. F., Kai, C., Yefenof, E., and Klein, E. (1988) J. Immunol. 140,1239-1243).

Also noted previously, the NIFs of the present invention have potent neutrophil inhibitory activity and, thus, may be used as an inhibitors of neutrophil activity, including neutrophil activation in vitro, as well as for preventing or treating in a mammal inflammatory conditions characterized by abnormal neutrophil activation.

Thus, NIF will be useful in the treatment of inflammation in which the abnormal activation of neutrophils plays a significant role. While applicants do not wish to be bound to any theory or mode of activity, it is believed that this compound will interfere with the inflammatory response which is set into action by neutrophil-endothelial cell interactions. Thus, where adhesion of neutrophils to the endothelium is prevented, the neutrophils will be unable to transmigrate to tissue to elicit a proinflammatory response with consequent tissue damage. Inhibition of neutrophil-neutrophil adhesion and/or aggregation by these NIFs should also prevent microvascular occlusion. Thus, these NIFs will be useful in treating a variety of clinical disorders, including shock, stroke, acute and chronic allograft rejection, vasculitis, autoimmune diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory skin diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), ischemia-reperfusion injury following myocardial infarction, in which neutrophil infiltration and activation has been implicated and acute inflammation caused by bacterial infection, such as sepsis or bacterial meningitis.

The ability of NIF to inhibit neutrophil activity makes it useful in inhibiting the physiological processes of inflammation, ischemia, and other neutrophil mediated tissue damage. The specific activities of NIFs in carrying out these related functions makes it particularly useful as therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents.

Antibodies, both monoclonal and polyclonal, directed to NIF are useful for diagnostic purposes and for the identification of concentration levels of the subject peptides in various biological fluids. Immunoassay utilizing these antibodies may be used as a diagnostic test, such as to detect infection of a mammalian host by a parasitic worm or to detect NIF from a parasitic worm in a tissue of the mammalian host. Also such immunoassays may be used in the detection and isolation of NIF from tissue homogenates, cloned cells and the like.

In another aspect of the present invention, NIFs can be used in a test method to screen other compounds to detect NIF mimics or to detect NIF antagonists for their ability to affect NIF binding to the CD11b/CD18 receptor.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, NIF with suitable adjuvants can be used as a vaccine against parasitic worm infections in mammals. Immunization with NIF vaccine may be used in both the prophylaxis and therapy of parasitic infections. NIF fragments and synthetic polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of NIF may also be used as vaccines. Disease conditions caused by parasitic worms may be treated by administering to an animal infested with these parasites substances which antagonize NIF (such as NIF antagonists). Compounds may be screened for their anti-NIF effect according to the screening method described herein above. Examples of such antihelminic agents include antibodies to NIF, both naturally occurring antibodies isolated from serum and polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies described above. Chemically synthesized compounds which act as inhibitors of NIF also are suitable antihelminic agents.

To assist in understanding the present invention, the following examples are included which describe the results of a series of experiments. The following examples relating to this invention should not, of course, be construed as specifically limiting the invention and such variations of the invention, now known or later developed, which would be within the purview of one skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the intention as described herein and hereinafter claimed.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Assays of Neutrophil Inhibitory Activity

The Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of the present invention demonstrated activity in inhibiting neutrophil function as measured by neutrophil-HUVEC and neutrophil-plastic adhesion assays, homotypic neutrophil aggregation assay and hydrogen peroxide release assay. This inhibitory factor was isolated from hookworm tissue lysates as an enriched composition by a variety of methods including gel filtration chromatography, chromatography on hydroxyapatite and concanavalin A sepharose, C4 reverse-phase HPLC, mono-Q ion exchange chromatography and preparative isoelectric focusing. The isolated factor appears to inhibit neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cell monolayers by inhibiting neutrophil activation.

(A) Cells and Reagents

Primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), obtained from Clonetics (San Diego, Calif.), were maintained in EGM-UV medium (Clonetics) with 15% fetal bovine serum (FBS), in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere. HUVEC were passaged twice and used to seed fibronectin-coated 96 well microtiter plates (Collaborative Research, Bedford, Mass.) for adhesion assays.

The protease inhibitors E64, pepstatin A, chymostatin and APMSF were obtained from Calbiochem (La Jolla, Calif.).

Neutrophils were isolated using Mono-Poly resolving medium (ICN Biomedicals, costa Mesa, Calif.) from either heparinized or citrated human blood following the instructions of the manufacturer. Neutrophils were resuspended in HSA buffer (RPMI1640 with 10 nM HEPES pH 7.4, 1.2 mM CaCl, 1.0 mM MgCl, 1% human serum albumin) at a concentration of 6.6×10⁶ cells/ml and used within one hour after isolation.

Neutrophils were fluorescently labelled by the following procedure. The cells were washed once in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) and resuspended at 1×10⁷ cells/ml in HBSS containing 20 mg/ml calcein (Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.). The calcein was initially solubilized in 50 ml dry dimethylsulfoxide prior to its addition to the HBSS. Cells were incubated at 37° C. with occasional mixing by inversion. After 45 minutes incubation the cells were chilled on ice for 5 minutes and then washed twice with ice-cold HSA buffer. Labelled neutrophils were resuspended in HSA buffer at 1.3×10⁷ cells/ml for use in adhesion assays.

(1) Protein concentration.

The molar protein concentration of purified NIF isoforms and mutants thereof was determined spectrophotometrically at 278 nm thereby using calculated extinction coefficients. The calculation is based on absorbance values of 5600 cm⁻¹.mol⁻¹ for tryptophan and 1420 cm⁻¹.mol⁻¹ for tyrosine residues.

    ______________________________________            NIF-1FL                   AcaNIF4    AcaNIF6  AcaNIF24     ______________________________________     Trp-residues              2        3          2      2     Tyr-residues              13       20         17     17     ε.sub.M              29,660   45,200     35,320 40,920     ______________________________________

(2) Preparation of 3D2-HRP conjugate.

Two hundred fifty microliters glutaraldehyde (25% solution) was added to 1 ml of an 8 mg/ml solution of horseradish peroxidase (sigma P8375; in phosphate buffered saline (PBS)). After 2 hours at room temperature the mixture was transferred to a dialysis bag (MW cut-off 12 kD) and dialysed against 1 liter PBS for 5 hours. Buffer was refreshed three times. After transfer of the solution to a test tube an equal volume of 3D2 purified MAb (see Example 26; dissolved in PBS at a concentration of 2 mg/ml) was added and further incubated overnight at room temperature. The reaction was stopped by adding glycine to a final concentration of 50 mM. Bovine serum albumin (BSA; Calbiochem) was added to a final concentration of 0.25% (w/v) and the solution was aliquoted and stored at -20° C.

(3) Preparation of biotinylated Pichia NIF-1FL.

Purified recombinant NIF (NIF-1FL) from Pichia was dialyzed against 100 mM acetate buffer pH 5.5 at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. An equal volume of cold 20 mM sodium-metaperiodate in 100 mM acetate buffer pH 5.5 was added. The oxidation reaction was allowed to proceed for 20 minutes in the dark on ice. The reaction was stopped by adding glycerol to reach a final concentration of 15 mM. The sample was desalted by ultrafiltration on Centricon 30. Biotin-LC hydrazide (Pierce) dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide was added to reach a final concentration of 5 mM and was then further incubated for 2 hrs at room temperature. The biotinylated sample was subsequently dialyzed against PBS using a Spectrapor membrane with a cut-off of 12,000.

(B) Neutrophil-HUVEC Adhesion Assays

Calcein-labelled neutrophils (175 ml at 1.32×10⁷ cells/ml) were preincubated for 10 minutes at room temperature with 175 ml of test fraction (diluted in HSA buffer) in the presence of 160 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). PMA is solubilized in dimethylsulfoxide at a stock concentration of 1.6 mM. A 96 well plate was used for this assay. One hundred microliters of this suspension was then aliquoted into each of three replicate wells that contained HUVEC monolayers. Neutrophils were incubated with the HUVEC, monolayer for 30 minutes at 37° C. To remove non-adherent cells, wells were first filled with 250 ml HSA buffer, sealed with parafilm and then centrifuged inverted for 3 minutes at 75×g. Inverted plates were then placed on a rocking platform shaker for 5 minutes, after which contents were decanted off and wells were washed twice with 100 ml HSA buffer. Adherent neutrophils were lysed in 100 ml 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100 (in 50 mM Tris HCl pH 7.4), and agitated for 10 minutes on a plate shaker. Twenty five microliters of the neutrophil/endothelial cell lysate was transferred to a 96 well microtiter plate that contained 100 ml of 50 mM Tris pH 7.4, and the wells were read at 530 nm (485 nm excitation) on a Cytofluor fluorometric plate reader (Millipore; Bedford, Mass.).

The hydroxyapatite pool preparation of hookworm Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor (see Example 1(D)) inhibited neutrophil adhesion to HUVEC monolayers with an IC₅₀ of about 10 nM.

(C) Neutrophil-Plastic Adhesion Assay

(1) Protocol #1.

This assay was used in Examples 1 through 19, where it was applicable.

Neutrophils (20 ml at 6.6×10⁶ cells/ml) were incubated with 5 ml PMA (0.8 mM) for 5 minutes at room temperature in a 0.5 ml polypropylene test tube. Twenty microliters of test fraction, diluted in HSA buffer, was added and the suspension was mixed gently. Aliquots of 10 ml of this suspension were added in triplicate to microtiter wells of 60-well HCA (Terasaki) plates (Nunc, Naperville, Ill.). Neutrophils were incubated 5 minutes at 37° C. and non-adherent cells were removed by submerging the plate 6 times in HBSS.

Adherent neutrophils were quantitated by counting under an inverted light microscope. Binding was quantitated visually. PMA-activated neutrophils spread and adhere tightly to polystyrene plastic. Non-activated neutrophils (i.e., in the absence of PMA) remain round and translucent and do not adhere tightly to plastic. Adherent neutrophils were larger, rhomboid in shape and more opaque, with a granular appearance. In the absence of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor, greater than 80% of PMA-activated neutrophils rapidly and irreversibly bound plastic, underwent shape change and were not removed by the gentle wash procedure. Moreover, fractions containing the Ancylostoma Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor exhibited a profound inhibitory effect on plastic binding by activated neutrophils.

The hydroxyapatite pool preparation of hookworm Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor (see Example 1(D)) inhibited neutrophil adhesion to plastic in this assay with an IC₅₀ of about 10 nM.

(2) Protocol #2.

This assay was used in Examples 20 through 29, where it was applicable.

Neutrophils (60 μl at 8×10⁶ cells/ml in HSA buffer) were incubated with 15 μl PMA (2.4 mM) and 5 μl CaCl2 0.05M. After gently mixing 80 μl of the stimulated cell suspension were added to 96-well high binding polystyrene microtiter plates (Costar) containing 20 μl of the test sample diluted in HSA buffer. After 45 minutes incubation at 37° C., non-adherent cells were removed by submerging the plates 4 times in PBS. Adherent cells were loaded with dye by adding 100 μl of 0.5% (w/v) Crystal violet indicator (CAS 548-62-9) solution. After 10 min at room temperature plates were rinsed by submerging 4 times in PBS. Lysis of stained adherent cells was done by adding 100 μl of 1% (v/v) Triton X-100 solution. Absorbance was determined at 605 nm with a Thermomax plate reader to quantitate adherent neutrophils.

(D) Homotypic Neutrophil Aggregation

Neutrophil aggregation was performed at 37° C. in a Scienco dual channel aggregometer (Morrison, Colo.). Neutrophils (190 ml at 6.6×10⁶ cells) were preincubated with 200 ml test fraction (diluted in HSA Buffer) in a glass cuvette (Scienco) for 2 minutes at room temperature. Ten microliters of PMA were added to initiate aggregation (80 nM final). The inhibition of neutrophil aggregation was measured at the maximum aggregation response 5 minutes after the addition of PMA.

The hydroxyapatite pool preparation of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor (see Example 1(D)) inhibited neutrophil adhesion with an IC₅₀ of about 10 nM.

(E) Hydrogen Peroxide Release Assay

Neutrophils (6.6×10⁶ cells/ml) were incubated with test fractions in Release Assay Buffer (HBSS with 25 mM glucose, 10% FBS, 200 mg/ml phenol red, 32 mg/ml horseradish peroxidase) for 5 minutes at 37° C. Incubation vessels consisted of 1.5 ml plastic test tubes that were precoated with HBSS containing 50% FBS at 37° C. for 60 minutes; coated tubes were washed twice with 0.15M NaCl before use. FMlP (Sigma; St. Louis, Mo.) at a final concentration of 250 mM was added and the neutrophil/test compound suspension was incubated at 37° C. for 60 minutes. Cells were pelleted by centrifugation at 8000×g for 3 minutes and 200 ml of supernatant was transferred to a 96 well microtiter plate. Ten microliters of 1N NaOH was added to each well and absorbance was read at 610 nm with a Molecular Devices ThermoMax plate reader. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations were determined by using a standard curve. Data points were done in duplicate.

The hydroxyapatite pool preparation of hookworm Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor inhibited hydrogen peroxide release from neutrophils with an IC₅₀ of about 10 nM.

(F) CD11b/CD18 Binding Assays

Microtiter polystyrene plates (Costar--high binding; 96 well) were coated with the CD11b/CD18 binding, non-neutralizing mouse monoclonal antibody LM2 (50 μl of the purified LM2 MAb at a concentration of 10 μg/ml in 0.1M NaHCO₃ ; pH 9.5; LM2 ATCC hybridoma #HB204) by overnight incubation at 4° C. After removal of the antibody, the wells were blocked with 200 μl PBS containing 1% (w/v) Skim-milk (Difco Laboratories) at room temperature. After 2 hours the blocking solution was removed and wells were washed 3 times with 200 μl of PBS.

The immobilized LM2 monoclonal antibody was used to immuno-capture the detergent solubilized CD11b/CD18 receptor as follows. Neutrophils were isolated using Polymorphprep™ (Nycomed) from either citrated whole blood or from buffy-coat following the instructions of the manufacturer. The neutrophil pellet from a 50 ml buffy coat was resuspended in 40 ml RPMI and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) to a final concentration of 0.8 μM was added. The suspension was gently rotated at room temperature for 20 minutes. The cells were spun down and resuspended in 5 ml 0.02M Tris-HCl, 0.15M NaCl, 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.001M CaCl₂. Cells were lysed by adding 5 ml buffer containing 2% Triton X-100 (Bio-Rad Laboratories), 0.02M Tris pH 7.5, 0.15M NaCl, 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.001M CaCl₂ and 0.02% thimerosal (sigma T-5125). PMSF (Sigma) and iodoacetamide (Merck-Schuchardt) were added to final concentrations of 1 mM. After mixing, the suspension was stored on ice for 1 hour and vortexed periodically. After centrifugation at 30,000 g, the supernatant was diluted twofold with 0.02M Tris-HCl, 0.15M NaCl, 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.001M CaCl₂ and 2 ml of Igg-sepharose (Sigma) was added. After incubation for two hours in the cold, the resin was spinned down. The supernatant was removed and diluted 5-fold with 0.02M Tris-HCl, 0.15M NaCl, 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.001M CaCl₂. Fifty microliters of this neutrophil lysate was then added to LM2-coated wells and incubated for 2 hours at room temperature to capture the CD11b/CD18 integrin. After washing with PBS, the plates were stored at -20° C.

In one type of assay, binding of NIF (NIF-1FL and isoforms or engineered variants) to LM2/CD11b/CD18 coated plates was detected with the 3D2-HRP conjugate. Samples containing NIF were diluted in PBS containing 0.1% (w/v) Skim-milk, 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.001M CaCl₂. After 2 hours incubation at room temperature, the wells were washed three times with 200 μl PBS containing 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.001M CaCl₂, 0.02% Tween-20 and 0.02% thimerosal. Then, 100 μl of an appropriate dilution (typically 2000-fold; in PBS containing 0.1% (w/v) skim-milk, 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.001M CaCl₂) of the 3D2-HRP conjugate was added. After 1 hour, the wells were washed three times with 200 μl PBS containing 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.001M CaCl₂, 0.02% thimerosal and 0.02% Tween 20. Substrate for HRP (100 μl; prepared by dissolving 2.3 mg ortho-phenylenediamine in 11.6 ml 50 mM citrate, 100 mM disodium phosphate buffer pH 5 and adding 2 μl of 35% H₂ O₂) was then added to the wells. The reaction was stopped (typically after 20 minutes) by addition of 10 μl of a 4M sulfuric acid solution; the absorbance was read at 605 nm with a Thermomax plate reader (Molecular Devices).

Alternatively, binding of NIF (NIF-1FL, other NIF proteins, and NIF mutants) to the LM2/CD11b/CD18 complex was measured by competition with biotinylated recombinant NIF-1FL produced in Pichia (see Example 12). Samples containing a constant amount of biotinylated recombinant NIF-1FL and varying amounts of unlabeled recombinant NIF-1FL were prepared in PBS containing 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.001M CaCl₂ and 0.1% (w/v) casein (Difco Laboratories). A 100 μl aliquot of each sample was added to individual LM2/CD11b/CD18 coated wells and incubated for 2 hours at room temperature. Unbound material was removed by washing three times with 200 μl PBS containing 0.001M CaCl₂, 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.1% Tween 20 and 0.02% thimerosal. Retained biotinylated recombinant NIF-1FL was detected by incubating first with 100 μl of ExtrAvidin-phosphatase (Sigma) conjugate diluted in PBS containing 0.1% casein. After 1 hour incubation at room temperature, unbound conjugate was removed by washing three times with PBS containing 0.001M CaCl₂, 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.02% Tween 20 and 0.02% thimerosal. Substrate for alkaline phosphatase (100 μl of a solution containing 5 mg ortho-nitrophenylphosphate in 1.8 ml 0.01M diethanolamine, 0.5 mM MgCl₂, pH 9.5) was added. After 30 minutes the wells were read at 405 nm with a Thermomax plate reader to quantitate bound biotinylated recombinant NIF-1FL.

EXAMPLE 2 Isolation of Native Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor from Hookworm Lysate

(A) Preparation of Hookworm Lysate

Frozen canine hookworms were obtained from Antibody Systems (Bedford, Tex.). Hookworms were stored at -70° C. until used for homogenate.

Hookworms were homogenized on ice in homogenization buffer 0.02M Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 0.05M NaCl, 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.001M CaCl₂, 1.0×10⁻⁵ M dithiothreitol, 1.0×10⁻⁵ M E-64 Protease Inhibitor (CAS 66701-25-5), 1.0×10⁻⁶ M pepstatin A (isovaleryl-Val-Val-4-amino-3-hydroxy-6-methyl-heptanoyl-Ala-4-amino-3-hydroxy-6-methyl-heptanoic acid, CAS 26305-03-3), 1.0×10⁻⁵ M chymostatin (CAS 9076-44-2), 2.0×10⁻⁵ M APMSF (amidinophenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride-HCl), 5% (v/v) glycerol! using a Tekmar Tissuemizer homogenizer. The protease inhibitors E64, pepstatin A, chymostatin, and APMSF were obtained from Calbiochem (La Jolla, Calif.). Approximately 3-6 ml of homogenization buffer was used to homogenize each gram of frozen worms (approximately 500 worms). Insoluble material was pelleted by two sequential centrifugation steps: 40,000×g_(max) at 4° C. for 20 minutes followed by 105,000×g_(max) at 4° C. for 40 minutes. The supernatant solution was clarified by passage through a 0.2 mm cellulose acetate filter (CoStar).

(B) Concanavalin A Sepharose Chromatography of Hookworm Lysate

Hookworm lysate (79 ml) was adsorbed to 16 ml of Concanavalin A Sepharose (Pharmacia) pre-equilibrated with Con A buffer 0.02M Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 1M NaCl, 0.001M CaCl₂, 0.001M MnSO₄, 1×10⁻⁵ M dithiotreitol! by recycling it through a 1.6×8 cm column at a flow rate of 3 ml/min (90 cm/hour) for 2 hours. The column was at room temperature (24° C.) while the reservoir of lysate was maintained on ice throughout the procedure. The column was subsequently washed with 80 ml of Con A buffer. The Con A buffer in the column was displaced with buffer containing 0.5M methyl-alphamannopyranoside and flow stopped for 30 minutes. Flow was then restarted at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min (15 cm/hour). Material that had inhibitory activity in neutrophil function assays was eluted with approximately three column volumes of Con A buffer containing 0.5M methyl-alpha-mannopyranoside (CAS 617-04-09). The yield of neutrophil adhesion inhibitory activity in this step was approximately 38%.

FIG. 1 depicts Concanavalin A Sepharose chromatography of the hookworm lysate performed as described above. Absorbance at 280 nm was plotted as a function of time.

(C) Molecular Sieve Chromatography Using Superdex 200

Active fractions eluted from immobilized Concanavalin A (see step (B) above) and concentrated by ultrafiltration at 4° C. using an Amicon stirred cell equipped with a 10,000 dalton cut-off membrane (YM10), then 5-20 ml of the concentrate were loaded on a 2.6 cm×60 cm column of Superdex 200 prep (Pharmacia) attached in series with an identical column (combined dimensions of 2.6×120 cm). Both columns were pre-equilibrated with 0.01M potassium phosphate, pH 7.35, 0.150M NaCl, 1×10⁻⁵ M dithiotreitol at 24° C. The chromatography was conducted at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min; anti-adhesion activity typically eluted 395-410 ml into the run (K_(av) of 0.46, see FIG. 2). This elution volume would be expected for a globular protein with a molecular mass of 50,000. The yield of neutrophil function inhibitory activity in this step was typically 70-80%. If the ionic strength of the chromatography buffer employed was decreased to 0.01M sodium phosphate, pH 7.00 and 10% (v/v) glycerol added, the activity eluted substantially earlier (K_(av) =0.34) suggesting that under such conditions the protein either aggregates or changes its conformation (assuming a larger Stoke's radius).

FIG. 2 depicts Superdex 200 Chromatography of Concanavalin A-Purified Hookworm Lysate. Absorbance at 280 nm is plotted versus elution volume. Active fractions eluted from immobilized Concanavalin A (see step (B) above) and concentrated by ultrafiltration at 4° C. using an Amicon stirred cell equipped with a 10,000 dalton cut-off membrane (YM10), then 5-20 ml of the concentrate were loaded on a 2.6 cm×60 cm column of Superdex 200 prep (Pharmacia) attached in series with an identical column (combined dimensions of 2.6×120 cm). Both columns were pre-equilibrated with 0.01M potassium phosphate, pH 7.35, 0.150M NaCl, 1×10⁻⁵ M dithiotreitol at 24° C. The chromatography was conducted at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min; activity eluted 395-410 ml into the run (K_(av) of 0.46).

(D) Ceramic-Hydroxyapatite Chromatography

Material purified by molecular sieve chromatography was concentrated five-fold by ultrafiltration using an Amicon stirred cell equipped with a 10 kilodalton cut-off membrane at 4° C. and then diluted ten-fold with water. The desalted sample was loaded on a 0.8×10 cm column of ceramic hydroxyapatite ("HA") (Pentax, American International Chemical, Inc., Natick, Mass., 2 mm) equilibrated with 0.001M potassium phosphate, pH 7.00, 1×10⁻⁵ M CaCl₂, 1.0×10⁻⁵ M dithiothreitol at 24° C. The loading was conducted at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min (95.5 cm/hour). The column was developed with a 50 ml linear gradient of potassium phosphate ranging from 0.001M to 0.0375M at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/minute. Neutrophil inhibitory activity eluted sharply at 0.025M potassium phosphate and then trailed to 0.0325M potassium phosphate (fractions 37 to 48). The yield of activity in this step was approximately 48%.

FIG. 3 depicts Ceramic Hydroxylapatite Chromatography of Superdex/Concanavalin A-Purified Hookworm lysate plotting absorbance at 280 nm and potassium phosphate concentration versus fraction number. Neutrophil inhibitory activity eluted in fractions 37 to 48.

(E) Reverse Phase HPLC

Hookworm lysate fractionated by chromatography on Concanavalin A Sepharose, Superdex, and ceramic hydroxylapatite (˜100 mg) was loaded on to a 0.48×15 cm column of 300 angstrom C4 (Vydac) which was then developed with a linear gradient of 0-60% acetonitrile in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid at 1 ml/minute with a rate of 1% change in acetonitrile/minute. Neutrophil inhibitory activity typically elutes between 41 and 45% acetonitrile, the activity corresponding with a broad peak.

FIG. 4 depicts the results of reverse phase HPLC of the Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor. Inhibitory activity eluted between 43 and 45% acetonitrile, the activity corresponding with a broad peak at 43-45 minutes.

                  TABLE I     ______________________________________     Summary of Example Purification     FRACTIONATION                 PROTEIN  PERCENT   SPECIFIC                                            FOLD     STEP        (mg)     ACTIVITY  ACTIVITY                                            PURIF.     ______________________________________     EXTRACTION  528      100       0.2      1     ConA ELUATE 21.7     38        1.8      9     SUPERDEX POOL                 1.5      25        16.7    88     HYDROXYAPATITE                 0.3      12        40.0    200     POOL     ______________________________________

EXAMPLE 3 Isolation of the Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor from Hookworm Lysate Using Preparative Isoelectric Focusing

Hookworm lysate was partially fractionated and desalted by molecular sieve chromatography on a 2.6 cm×60 cm column of Superdex 200 prep (Pharmacia) attached in series with an identical column (combined dimensions of 2.6×120 cm). Both columns were pre-equilibrated with 0.01M sodium phosphate, pH 7.00, 10% (v/v) glycerol at 24° C. Adhesion inhibiting fractions eluting at 350-370 ml were diluted to 55 ml by the addition of 1.4 ml of 40% Biolyte 3-10 ampholyte (BioRad) and 10% (v/v) glycerol. This mixture was focused with a constant power of 12 W for 5 hours at 4° C. in a Rotofor preparative isoelectric focusing prep cell (BioRad). Twenty fractions were harvested; inhibitory activity was detected in fractions 6-9, corresponding to an isoelectric point of 4.5. The overall yield of inhibitory activity for this step was approximately 30%.

EXAMPLE 4 Ion Exchange Chromatography

Hookworm lysate fractionated by molecular sieve chromatography on Superdex 75 (Pharmacia) was mixed with an equal volume of Mono Q buffer 0.02M Tris-HCl, pH 7.5! and loaded on to a 0.5×5.0 cm Mono Q anion exchange column (Pharmacia) equilibrated with Mono Q buffer at a flow rate of 1 ml/minute (306 cm/hour). The column was then developed with a linear gradient of 0-0.5M NaCl in column buffer at 0.5 ml/minute (153 cm/hour). Neutrophil inhibitory activity consistently eluted at 0.4M NaCl. The overall yield of inhibitory activity for this isolation was about 2-5%.

EXAMPLE 5 SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

The protein composition of hookworm lysate and fractionated lysate was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) (Laemmli, U. K. 1970, Nature 227, 680) after silver staining (Morrisey, J. H. 1981, Anal. Biochem. 117, 307). Samples were mixed with an equal volume of 20% glycerol, 5% SDS, and 0.125M Tris-HCl, pH 6.8 and placed in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes. Samples were subsequently applied ono 10% SDS polyacrylamide slab gels of 0.75 mm thickness and subjected to electrophoresis for 2 hours at constant voltage (125 V).

FIG. 5 depicts the results of SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Samples were applied to a 10% polyacrylamide slab gel (Novex, La Jolla, Calif.). Lanes 1-10, left to right, are (1) molecular weight standards; (2) molecular weight standards; (3) HPLC pool of HA fractions #37-41, non-reduced; (4) blank; (5) HPLC pool of HA fractions #37-41, reduced; (6) blank, (7) HPLC pool of HA fractions #37-41, reduced, (8) HPLC pool of HA fractions #37-41, non-reduced; (9) HPLC pool of HA trailing fractions #42-48, non-reduced, (10)molecular weight standards. The molecular weight standards used were: myosin, 200,000 (rabbit muscle); beta-galactosidase, 116,300 (E. coli); phosphorylase b, 97,400 (rabbit muscle); bovine serum albumin, 66,300; glutamic dehydrogenase, 55,400, (bovine liver); carbonic anhydrase, 31,000, (bovine erythrocyte); trypsin inhibitor, 21,500, (soybean).

Following the last step of the isolation procedure (reverse phase HPLC) only a single diffuse band with an apparent molecular weight ranging from 33,000 to 47,000 was observed upon SDS-PAGE (see FIG. 5). When 50 mM dithiothreitol was added to the sample prior to boiling, the diffuse band migrated with an estimated molecular weight of 43,000 to 54,000.

EXAMPLE 6 Laser-Desorption Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry of the Isolated Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor

The estimated mass for the NIF isolated as described in Example 2(E) was determined using laser-desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

A 1 ml aliquot of the sample was diluted with an equal volume of a saturated solution of 3,5-dimethozy-4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid dissolved in 30% aqueous CH₃ CN, 0.1% TFA. The diluted sample was spotted onto a copper sample stage and allowed to air dry. Mass analysis was performed using a Shimadzu LAMS-50KS laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometer (Shimadzu Corp., Kyoto, Japan). Ionization of the sample was accomplished by focusing 500 laser pulses (355 nm, pulse width<5 nsec) from a Nd-YAG laser (Spectra-Physics, Inc., Mt. View, Calif.) onto the sample stage. The resulting ions were accelerated into the mass spectrometer by a 5 kV potential. Calibration of the instrument was accomplished using standard proteins of known mass.

FIG. 6 depicts the results of laser-desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry of the isolated neutrophil adhesion inhibitor. Five picomoles of the purified neutrophil function inhibitor was analyzed with a laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The estimated mass was determined as 41,200. A small fraction of the sample had a mass of 82,400; this was interpreted to be a dimer.

EXAMPLE 7 Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor is a GlycoProtein

Purified NIF (prepared according to Example 2(E)) (˜2 mg) was electrophoresed in a 10% SDS polyacrylamide gel and the resolved protein transferred by Western blotting (Towbin, et al., 1979 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 76, 4350-4354) to a Zeta-Probe® nitrocellulose membrane (BioRad, Emeryville, Calif.). The membrane was treated as described in the instructions to the GlycoTrack® Kit (Oxford GlycoSystems, Rosedale, N.Y.) to oxidize carbohydrates to aldehydes which were then reacted with biotin-hydrazide leading to incorporation of biotin into any carbohydrate present. Biotinylated carbohydrate was subsequently detected by reaction with a streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate. Visualization was achieved using a substrate which reacts with alkaline phosphatase bound to glycoproteins on the membrane, forming a colored precipitate. Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor was stained using this method, demonstrating that it contained carbohydrate and is therefore a glycoprotein.

EXAMPLE 8 Organic Extraction of the Hookworm Lysate

One milliliter of hookworm homogenate known to have inhibitory activity in the neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay was extracted by vortexing 1 minute with 1 ml of a chloroform/methanol (2:1) mixture in a 15 ml glass Corex test tube. The organic layer was removed and dried under a stream of nitrogen gas. Residual lipids were resuspended in 0.5 ml HSA assay buffer by sonication for 2 minutes (Branson Model 1200, Danbury, Conn.). Resuspended lipids had no inhibitory activity in the neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay when tested at a final dilution of 1:2.

EXAMPLE 9 Production and Determination of the Amino Acid Sequence of Peptide Fragments of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor

Samples of NIF were obtained as described in Example 2. Two separate volumes, each containing approximately 10 mg NIF, were first degassed on a Speed Vac until the samples were frozen and then lyophilized. The dried samples were resuspended in 50 mM N-ethylmorpholine, pH 8.5, and digested with either endoproteinase AspN (Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, Ind.), Lys C (Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, Ind.) or trypsin (Worthington, Freehold, N.J.) at a substrate to enzyme ratio of 25:1. Incubation was at ambient temperature for 24 hours and a small amount of isopropanol was added to the digestion mix to prevent microbial contamination. At the end of the digestion, the samples were degassed on a Speed Vac and dried by lyophilizing. The digestion mixtures were resuspended in 6M guanidine/HCl for fractionation of peptides by reversed phase HPLC (RP HPLC). Peptides were isolated by RP HPLC on a ToyoSoda 120T C18 (4.5×250 mm) column using an LKB HPLC system with Kratos (ABI, Foster City, Calif.) detectors. The column was developed with a linear gradient of acetonitrile in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The gradient was from 5 to 54% acetonitrile over 120 minutes at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/minute. Peptide peaks monitored by A₂₀₆ and A₂₈₀ were collected using an LKB SuperRac with calibrated peak detection. The collected fractions were neutralized with ammonium carbonate, 20 mg SDS was added, and the fractions dried under N₂ before sequencing. Peptides were sequenced on a 470A/120A/900A gas phase sequencer (ABI, Foster City, Calif.). Residue identification was performed manually by analysis of the HPLC chrogratograms and quantification of the PTH residues was performed by online analysis on the 900A computer. Cysteine residues were not detected in this analysis because the protein had not been alkylated. In experiments in which the protein was digested with trypsin, the protein was alkylated with vinylpyridine before fragmentation, thereby permitting the detection of cysteine in the tryptic fragments. Aspartic acid and tryptophan residues were identified but not quantitated because background peaks overlapped the PTH residues in the HPLC elution. The initial yields ranged from 1 pmole to 10 pmole and the repetitive yield was usually between 92 and 95%. FIG. 7 depicts the amino acid sequences that were obtained from the proteolytic fragments. In FIG. 7, positions enclosed in parentheses were not determined with absolute certainty. Abbreviations for amino acids beginning with a capital letter were observed in higher yield and are preferred in these cases. The abbreviation Xxx indicates an undetermined amino acid at that position, since no specific amino acid was identified during Edman degradation of the peptide. See Scarborough et al. J. Biol. Chem 266:9359, 1991.; Perin et al., J. Biol. Chem. 266:3877, 1991.

EXAMPLE 10 Cloning and Sequencing of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor from Hookworm

NIF was cloned from a canine hookworm cDNA library, constructed as follows: Total RNA was isolated from whole hookworms by guanidium thiocyanate extraction (McDonald et al., Meth. Enzymol. 152:219 (1987)). Poly(A)+ RNA was purified from 500 mg of total hookworm RNA using oligo d(T) cellulose affinity chromatography (PolyA Quik; Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.). Double stranded cDNA was synthesized from poly(A)+ RNA using random hexamer primers and avian myoblastosis virus (AMV) reverse transcriptase (Amersham, Arlington Hills, Ill.). cDNA fragments larger than 1 kilobase pairs were purified on a 6% polyacrylamide gel and ligated to EcoRI linkers (Stratagene) using standard procedures. Linkered cDNA was ligated into lambda gt10 (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) and packaged using Gigapack Gold II (Stratagene).

Double stranded cDNA probes for hookworm NIF were generated by polymerase chain reaction from hookworm RNA using primers derived from NIF peptide sequences. The sequences obtained for two NIF peptides (see FIG. 7), T-20 (Leu-Ala-Ile-Leu-Gly-Trp-Ala-Arg SEQ ID NO.9!) and T-22-10 (Leu-Phe-Asp-Arg-Phe-Pro-Glu-Lys SEQ ID NO.10!), were used to design primers 30.2 and 43.3.RC, respectively. The sequences of 30.2 and 43.3.RC were

5'-CTCGAATTCT(GATC)GC(ATC)AT(ATC)(CT)T(GATC)-GG(ATC)TGGG C-3' SEQ ID NO. 7! and

5'-CTCGAATTCTT(TC)TCTGG(GA)AA-(GA)CG(GA)TC(GA)AA-3' SEQ ID NO.8!, respectively. Bracketed positions represent redundant nucleotides. Single stranded cDNA was synthesized by priming 1 mg of hookworm poly(A)+ RNA (preparation described above) with random hexanucleotides and extending with AMV reverse transcriptase (Amersham, Arlington Hills, Ill.). One twentieth of the reaction product was amplified using the PCR GeneAmp kit (Perkin Elmer, Norwalk, Conn.), with 400 pmol of each of 30.1 and 43.RC (manufactured by Research Genetics, Huntsville, Ala.), on a Perkin Elmer DNA Thermal Cycler. PCR conditions were: cycles. 1-2, denaturation at 94° C. for 2 minutes, annealing at 58° C. for 2 minutes and elongation at 72° C. for 2 minutes; cycles 3-42, denaturation at 94° C. for 45 seconds, annealing at 58° C. for 45 seconds and elongation at 72° C. for 2 minutes. The ˜430 base pair amplification product, referred to as the 30.2/43.3.RC fragment, was separated from reaction contaminants by electroelution from a 6% polyacrylamide gel (Novex, San Diego, Calif.). The 30.2/43.3.RC fragment was labelled with α-³² P!-dCTP (Amersham) using random primer labelling (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.); labelled DNA was separated from unincorporated nucleotides using a ChromaSpin-10 column (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.).

Prehybridization and hybridization conditions were 6× SSC (SSC: 150 mM NaCl, 15 mM trisodium citrate), 0.02M sodium phosphate pH 6.5, 5× Denhardt's solution, 0.5% (w/v) SDS, 0.01M EDTA, 100 mg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA, 0.23% dextran sulfate, 50% formamide. Prehybridization and hybridization were at 42° C., and the filters were washed for 20 minutes with 0.2× SSC at 60° C. after two prewashes with 2× SSC for 15 minutes. The filters were exposed overnight to X-ray film with two intensifying screens at -70° C.

Approximately 300,000 recombinant phage of the random primed hookworm library (unamplified) were screened with the 3.0.2/43.3.RC NIF PCR fragment. About 120 recombinant phage hybridized to this probe, of which seven were isolated for nucleotide sequencing analysis. Double stranded sequencing was effected by subcloning the EcoRI cDNA fragments contained in these phage isolates into pBluescript II vector (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.). DNA was sequenced using the Sequenase version 2.0 kit (U.S. Biochemical, Cleveland, Ohio) and synthetic oligonucleotide primers.

The NIF phage isolates contained DNA that encoded polypeptides that bore striking resemblance to the amino acid sequences obtained for purified NIF (see FIG. 7). FIG. 8 depicts the nucleotide sequence of the coding region of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor cDNA (clone 1FL) and its predicted amino acid sequence. A single isolate, NIF-1FL, encoded an open reading frame of 825 nt, initiating with a methionine and terminating with a TGA stop codon (FIG. 8). The NIF polypeptide encoded by NIF-1FL is 274 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 30,680 daltons. FIG. 9 depicts the alignment of the predicted amino acid sequences of several Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor isoform clones SEQ ID NOS.83 to 89!. Each line of sequence represents the corresponding sequence segments of the various clones isolated. Each segment is identified by its clone designation (e.g., 1FL, 3P, 2FL, 3FL, 4FL, 6FL and 1P). The complete amino acid sequence of clone 1FL is listed in standard three-letter amino acid code at the top of each sequence segment. Clones having the same amino acid in a given position as clone 1FL are denoted by "." Amino acid substitutions are indicated by the appropriate three-letter code. "- - - " indicates a space inserted to maintain alignment of the sequences. The carboxy termini of the 1FL and 1P sequences are denoted by an asterisk. The other six NIF phage isolates encoded partial NIF polypeptides; that is they did not contain either an N-terminal methionine residue or a C-terminal stop codon, as compared to the NIF-1FL polypeptide (FIG. 9). These partial NIF isolates comprised six predicted NIF isoforms that were significantly similar to, but not identical to the prototypical NIF-1FL polypeptide.

EXAMPLE 11 Expression of Functional Recombinant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor by Mammalian Cells

(A) Transient Expression in COS-7 Cells.

The segment of DNA encoding the NIF-1FL isoform was amplified from the original λgt10 isolate DNA using unique primers for the 5'- and 3'-ends of the coding region.

The 5'-primer was composed of a restriction endonuclease site (EcoR1), a consensus ribosome binding site (Kozak, M., Cell 44: 283 (1986)), the ATG initiation codon of NIF and the succeeding 6 codons of the gene. The 3'-primer was composed of a unique nucleotide sequence to the 3'-side of the TGA termination codon of NIF and a restriction endonuclease site (EcoR1). The nucleotide sequences of the 5'- and 3'-primers were

5'-ACC-GAA-TTC-ACC-ATG-GAG-GCC-TAT-CTT-GTG-GTC SEQ ID NO.11! and

5'-CTG-GAA-TTC-TCG-CTT-ACG-TTG-CCT-TGG-C SEQ ID NO.12!, respectively.

Five microliters of the lambda plaque suspended in 1 ml dilution buffer were used as template DNA. Amplification was accomplished using the PCR GeneAmp kit (Perkin Elmer, Norwalk, Conn.), with 400 pmol of each of the 5'- and 3'-primers (manufactured by Research Genetics), on a Perkin Elmer DNA Thermal Cycler. The PCR conditions were: cycle 1, denaturation at 97° C. for 1 minute, primer annealing for 1 minute at 37° C., ramp from 37° C. to 72° C. in 2 minutes, and amplification for 2 minutes at 72° C.; cycles 3 and 4, denaturation at 94° C. for 1 minute, primer annealing for 1 minute at 37° C., ramp from 37° C. to 72° C. in 2 minutes, and amplification for 2 minutes at 72° C.; cycles 5 through 34, denaturation at 94° C. for 1 minute, primer annealing for 1 minute at 45° C., and amplification for 2 minutes at 72° C.

The amplification product (887 bp) was separated from reaction contaminants using a ChromaSpin 400 column (Clontech Laboratories, Inc. Palo Alto , Calif.). The ends of the amplification product were trimmed with the restriction endonuclease EcoR1 and the resulting fragment of DNA (875 bp) ligated into EcorR1-digested plasmid pSg5 (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) using standard techniques. The resulting ligation mixture was used to transform SURE™ competent cells (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.).

An isolate containing the 875 bp insert in the proper orientation (5'-end of the coding region proximal to the pSg5 SV40 promoter) was grown in 250 ml Circle Grow™ (Biolo, San Diego, Calif.) with 50 mg/ml ampicillin and plasmid DNA was prepared using a Magic Maxi Prep™ DNA purification system (Promega, Madison, Wis.). Ten micrograms of purified plasmid DNA was transferred into 3.5×10⁶ COS7 cells (ATCC No. CRL 1651) by electroporation (0.4 cm electroporation cell, 325 V, 250 F, infinite resistance, 0.5 ml cells at 7×10⁶ /ml in Hepes buffered saline, pH 7.0, 4° C.). After electroporation the cells were allowed to stand on ice for 2 to 3 minutes before dilution with 14 ml warm DMEM:RPMI 1640 (1 to 1 ratio) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum prewarmed to 37° C. The cells were placed in 100 mm cell culture dishes and incubated at 37° C. with 8% CO₂. Cell culture supernatant fluid was removed at 1, 2 and 3 days after plating and assayed for NIF activity.

(B) Detection and Quantitation of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor Activity in Cell Culture Medium.

15 ml of cell culture fluid was harvested from electroporated COS7 cells (pSg5/NIF1FLCR1). When assayed directly using the neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay (Example 1(C)), this fluid exhibited neutrophil inhibitory activity to dilutions as great as 1:8. An IC₅₀ at approximately 1:14 was determined using the hydrogen peroxide release assay (Example 1(E)). No activity was observed using cell culture fluid harvested from COS7 cells electroporated with a control expression plasmid (pCAT; Promega, Madison, Wis.).

(C) Stable Expression in CHO Cells

(1) Preparation of Plasmid DNAs

The NIF-1FL insert in the pSg5 construct described above in section (A) was excised by digestion with the restriction endonuclease EcoRI. The 875 bp NIF-1FL fragment was gel purified (Magic PC Prep, Promega, Madison, Wis.) and ligated into EcoRI digested pBluescript II KS (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) using standard techniques. The resulting ligation mixture was used to transform SURE™ competent cells as described by the supplier (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.). Transformed cells were plated on LB agar containing IPTG and X-gal (Sambrook, Fritsch, and Maniatis, Molecular Cloning, a Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989, pp. 1.85 to 1.86). White colonies were screened for plasmids containing the NIF-1FL insert in the proper orientation by digesting plasmid DNA with BamHI; those colonies harboring a plasmid that yielded a 200 bp BamHI fragment were retained. Plasmid was prepared from one of these colonies (Magic Maxi Prep, ProMega, Madison, Wis.) and digested with HindIII and NotI to yield a NIF-1FL fragment with a HindIII overlap on the 5'-end and a NotI overlap on the 3'-end. This DNA fragment was gel purified and ligated into HindIII-NotI digested pRC/CMV (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.). The resulting ligation mixture was used to transform SURE™ competent cells. Milligram quantities of pRC/CMV-NIF-1FL were prepared using the Magic Maxi Prep kit.

The plasmid pLTRdHFR26 (Mol. Cell. Biol. 3:32-43 (1983), Nature 275:617-623 (1978)) in the E. coli strain RRI was purchased from the ATCC (American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md.). Plasmid DNA was purified from a chloramphenicol amplified culture (Sambrook, Fritsch, and Maniatis, Molecular Cloning, a Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989, p. 1.33) using the Magic Maxi Prep kit.

(2) Transfection of CHO Cells

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells harboring a defect in the dihydrofolate reductase gene (dhfr) were obtained from the ATCC (catalog number: CRL 9096) and grown in a 1:1 mixture of RPMI 1640 and DMEM media (Irvine Scientific, Santa Ana, Calif.) supplemented with 10% FBS, 10 mM HEPES, essential amino acids, nonessential amino acids, 5×10⁻⁵ M β-mercaptoethanol, 10 mM sodium pyruvate, and 2 mM glutamine (combo medium). The CHO cells were transfected using the Calcium Phosphate Transfection System following the manufacturer's instructions (Gibco BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) in 10 cm cell culture dishes at the following ratios: 1×10⁶ cells, 20 g pRC/CMV-NIF1FL DNA and 5 g pLTRdHFR26 DNA. The cells were incubated for 12 hr at 37° C. in the presence of the co-precipitated DNAs.

(3) Selection and Amplification of CHO-NIF1FL Clones

The adhered cells were washed once with fresh combo medium and placed under combo medium containing 500 g/ml of the antibiotic G418 (Gibco BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) for two weeks at 37° C. to select for those clones exhibiting neomycin resistance. The G418 resistant cells were trypsinized from the culture dishes using standard techniques and washed once with fresh combo medium containing 500 g/ml G418. The washed cells were allowed to attach to 10 cm cell culture dishes (1×10⁶ per dish) and covered with combo medium containing 500 g/ml G418 and 10, 20, 40, 60, or 80 nM methotrexate (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). After two weeks incubation at 37° C., the dishes were examined for colonies and the culture supernatant fluids assayed for NIF activity using the calcein assay for neutrophil adhesion. The cells in dishes exhibiting NIF activity were trypsinized and washed as before and plated to obtain single colonies. One single cell isolate, designated 8F5, expressing NIF activity was chosen for further methotrexate amplification.

8F5 cells were grown to confluence in a 10 cm cell culture dish, detached with trypsin and washed as before. The cells were diluted with combo medium containing 500 g/ml G418 and 1×10⁶ cells were placed in 10 cm culture dishes. The adhered cells were covered with combo medium containing 500 g/ml G418 and 40, 80, 160, 320, or 640 nM methotrexate. Again, after two weeks incubation at 37° C., the dishes were examined for colonies and supernatant fluids assayed for NIF activity. Cells were released from the plates by trypsin treatment as before. The pool of cells obtained from the 320 nM methotrexate dish was selected for further use and single cell isolates were obtained. Three successive rounds of single cell isolation were performed on each colony to ensure clonal purity. The final cell line, designated 8F5-1E6-8C11-1G8, produces NIF at greater than 50 g/ml in the presence of 500 μg/ml G418 and 320 nM methotrexate.

(D) Fractionation of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor Activity by Chromatography on Immobilized Concanavalin A.

Five ml of COS7 (pSG5/NIF1FLCR1) cell culture fluid was mixed with an equal volume 0.02M bis Tris-propane-HCl, pH 7.3, 1M NaCl, 0.001M CaCl₂, 0.001M MnSO₄ and loaded onto a one ml column of Concanavalin A Sepharose (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) equilibrated with the same buffer. The sample was cycled through the column in a closed loop for 1 hour at 2 ml/minute at 20° C. The column was subsequently washed with 5 ml of 0.02M bis Tris-propane-HCl, pH 7.3, 1M NaCl, 0.001M CaCl₂, 0.001M MnSO₄. The buffer resident in the column was displaced with buffer containing 0.5M methyl-alpha-mannopyranoside and flow stopped for 15 minutes. Flow was restarted at 1 ml/minute and approximately 11 ml of sugar-containing eluate collected. The eluate was dialyzed 18 hours against 1 liter 10 mM potassium phosphate, pH 7.35, 150 mM NaCl at 4° C. and concentrated to 1.1 ml using an Amicon centrifugal concentrator equipped with a 10,000 molecular weight cut-off membrane (CentriPrep 10, Amicon, Beverly, Mass.). When assayed by the neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay (Example 1(C)), this sample exhibited substantial activity at a dilution of 1:16, indicating that a significant portion of the neutrophil function inhibitor activity present in the cell culture fluid binds to immobilized Concanavalin A. This behavior is identical to that observed for crude extracts of Ancylostoma caninum (Example 2(B)) and is consistent with the inhibition resulting from the synthesis and secretion from transfected mammalian COS7 cells of a glycoprotein that acts as an inhibitor of neutrophil function.

As a control, 5 ml of COS7 cell culture medium from cells electroporated in the absence of DNA was chromatographed on Concanavalin A Sepharose in the same manner as described above. No activity was observed after Concanavalin A-Sepharose chromatography using the neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay (Example 1(C)).

(E) Fractionation of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor Activity by Anion Exchange Chromatography Using POROS II Q/M.

Five ml of COS7 (pSG5/NIF1FLCR1) cell culture fluid was dialyzed 18 hours against one liter of 10 mM bis Tris-propane-HCl, pH 7.0 at 4° C. and loaded at 3 ml/minute onto a 0.46×10 cm column of Poros II Q/M (PerSeptive Biosystems, Inc., League City, Tex.) equilibrated with the same buffer. The column was washed with one column volume of equilibration buffer and developed with a linear gradient of sodium chloride from 0 to 0.5M over 14.4 column volumes collecting 2 ml fractions. Significant activity in the neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay (Example 1(C) was detected in fractions 17 and 18, corresponding to about 0.45M NaCl. When fractions were concentrated twenty-fold using centrifugal concentrators equipped with a 10,000 MWCO membrane (Amicon MicroCon 10, Beverly, Mass.), substantial activity was found in fractions 16-19.

Neutrophil inhibitory factor present in extracts from Ancylostoma caninum elutes likewise from an anion exchange column (Mono Q, Pharmacia, Piscataway N.J.) at 0.4M NaCl (Example 4).

EXAMPLE 12 Expression of Functional Recombinant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor in Pichia pastoris

(A) Description of the Pichia Shuttle/expression Vector.

The Pichia strain GTS115 (his4)(Stroman, D. W. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,231 (Aug. 8, 1989)) and the E. coli-Pichia shuttle vectors PHILS1 and pHILD5 referred to hereafter are part of the Pichia yeast expression system licensed from the Phillips Petroleum Company (Bartlesville, Okla.).

All of the Pichia manipulations were performed essentially as described for Saccharomyces cerevesiae in Gene Expression Technology, pp. 231-471, Academic Press, New York, (D. V. Goeddel, edit. 1991) and in Stroman, D. W. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,231 (Aug. 8, 1989).

The pHIL7SP8 vector used to direct expression of NIF in P. pastoris was assembled from pHILS1 and pHILD5 and from synthetically generated fragments. The pHIL7SP8 plasmid contained the following elements cloned onto pBR322 sequences:

1) 5' AOX1, about 1000 bp segment of the P. pastoris alcohol oxidase 5' untranslated and promoter sequences (see Stroman, D. W. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,231 (Aug. 8, 1989) the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference).

2) The PHO1 P. Pastoris secretion signal.

3) A 19-amino acid synthetic pro-sequence fused to the PHO1 signal. This pro-sequence represents one of the two 19-aa pro-sequences designed by Clements et al., (1991. Gene, 106:267-272) on the basis of the yeast alpha-factor leader sequence.

4) A synthetic multi-cloning site.

5) 3' AOX1, about 256 bp segment of the aox1 terminating sequence (see Stroman, D. W. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,231 (Aug. 8, 1989) the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.).

6) P. pastoris histidinol dehydrogenase gene, his4, contained on a 2.4 kb fragment to complement the defective his4 gene in the host GTS115 (see Stroman, D. W. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,231 (Aug. 8, 1989) the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference).

7) Region of 3' AOX1 untranslated DNA sequence, which together with the 5' AOX1 region is necessary for site-directed integration (see Stroman, D. W. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,231 (Aug. 8, 1989) the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference).

(B) Construction of pHIL7SP-NIc1/pHIL7SP-NIc10 and Expression in Pichia.

The segment of DNA encoding NIF was PCR-amplified from a sub-clone of NIF-1FL in BluescriptII (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) using unique primers for the 5'- and 3'-ends of the coding region.

The 5'-primer contained no restriction endonuclease sites and corresponded to the region beginning at the 5'-end of proteolytically processed NIF and the succeeding 7 codons. The codon for the first residue of the mature NIF was altered from AAT to AAC (both codons translate to asparagine). The 3'-primer was composed of 8 codons at the 3' end of the coding region, a TAA stop replacing the TGA stop of the natural gene, and three unique restriction endonuclease sites (HindIII, SpeI, and BglII). The sequences of the 5'- and 3'-primers used were 5'-AAC-GAA-CAC-AAC-CTG-AGG-TGC-CCG SEQ ID NO.13! and 5'-CCT-CCT-CCT-AGA-TCT-AAG-CTT-ACT-AGT-TTA-TAA-CTC-TCG-G AA-TCG-ATA-AAA-CTC SEQ ID NO.14!, respectively.

Amplification was accomplished using 100 pmol of each primer, 2 units of Vent polymerase in 1× Vent buffer (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.), and 0.2 mM of each of dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dTTP. One hundred nanograms of BluescriptII-containing NIF-1FL were used as template DNA. The PCR conditions were the same for all ten cycles: denaturation at 95° C. for 1 minute, primer annealing at 60° C. for 1 minute, and amplification for 1.5 minutes at 72° C. The amplification product was purified as described above and digested with BglII.

The amplification product was then ligated into StuI-BglII cleaved pHIL7SP8 using standard methods. The ligation mixture was used to transform E.coli WK6, and ampicillin resistant clones were obtained on ampicillin plates. Based on restriction and DNA sequence analysis, correct insert sequences in two of the resulting plasmid clones, pHIL7SP-NI1c1 and pHIL7SP-NI1c10, were selected to transform the P pastoris yeast strain GTS115 (his4). These vectors were digested with either Not1 (targeting integration to the expression cassette in the AOX1 region) or Sal1 (targeting integration to the HIS4 locus).

The 4 restricted DNA preparations were introduced individually into Pichia by electroporation, essentially as described by Becker, D. and Guarente, L., Methods in Enzymology, vol. 194, pp. 182-189 (1991). Briefly, the cells were grown in YEPD medium at 30° C. to an OD₆₀₀ of 1.3 to 1.5. The cells were pelleted at 4° C. (1500×g for 5 minutes) and resuspended in 500 ml ice cold sterile distilled water. The cells were pelleted as above and resuspended in 250 ml ice cold distilled water. After the cells were pelleted again, they were resuspended in 20 ml ice cold 1M sorbitol. After a final pelleting the cells were resuspended in 1 ml ice cold 1M sorbitol. Forty μl cells in 1M sorbitol were mixed with 5 μl of linearized DNA and the mixture transferred to an ice cold 0.2 cm gap electroporation cuvette. After 5 minutes on ice, the cells were pulsed at 50 uF, 1.5 kV/cm, and 200 Ω resistance. One ml of ice cold 1M sorbitol was added to the cuvettes and 100 to 500 ul of the cell suspension were spread on minimal dextrose plates. The plates were incubated at 30° C. until colonies appeared. The transformation mix was plated on minimal dextrose (MD) medium to select for His+ transformants. Subsequent selection for NIF expression was performed in shake flask cultures in minimal medium containing methanol as described in Stroman, D. W. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,231 (Aug. 8, 1989)

(C) Detection and Quantitation of Neutrophil Inhibitory Activity in Cell Medium.

Pichia cell supernatant (pHIL7SP-N1c10) was obtained by centrifugation for 15 minutes at 1,800×g_(max) from cells 48 hours following methanol induction and filtered through a 0.22 μm cellulose acetate membrane. The filtered cell supernatant solution was concentrated about 3-fold using centrifugal concentrators equipped with a 10,000 MWCO membrane (Amicon MicroCon 10, Beverly, Mass.) and desalted by gel filtration using a 1×10 cm column of G-25 Sephadex Superfine (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.). Using the neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay (Example 1(C)), the desalted supernatant solution (diluted 2× by gel filtration) exhibited neutrophil inhibitory activity to dilutions as great as 1:640. No activity was observed using cell supernatant solution similarly harvested and treated from Pichia cells expressing a recombinant anti-thrombotic protein devoid of neutrophil inhibitory activity.

(D) Purification of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor from Pichia

Following methanol induction for 48 hours, 75 ml of Pichia cell supernatant (pHIL7SP-N1c10) 48 hours following methanol induction was obtained by centrifugation for 15 minutes at 1,800×g_(max) and filtered through a 0.22 μm cellulose acetate membrane. This was concentrated using an Amicon stirred UF cell equipped with a 10,000 molecular weight cut-off membrane (YM10) and then diluted with water (about 10-fold). This diafiltration process was repeated until the conductivity was reduced from 45 mS to 1 mS. The final volume of the concentrate was 25 ml.

This concentrate was dialyzed at 4° C. for 6 hours against one liter of 0.05M bis Tris-propane-HCl, pH 7.0 to adjust the pH to neutrality, and then against two changes of one liter of 0.001M potassium phosphate, pH 7.0.

Fifteen ml of the dialyzed cell supernatant was loaded onto a 0.8×15 cm column of ceramic hydroxyapatite (Pentax, 2 μm; American International Chemical, Inc., Natick, Mass.) equilibrated with 0.001M potassium phosphate, pH 7.0 at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min (48 cm/hour). The column was washed with one column volume of 0.001M potassium phosphate, pH 7.0 and then developed with a linear gradient from 0.001 to 0.050M potassium phosphate over 20 column volumes at a flow rate of 0.35 ml/min. Substantial neutrophil inhibitory activity eluted at approximately 0.02-0.035M potassium phosphate in much the same fashion as observed for neutrophil inhibitory factor isolated from Ancylostoma caninum (Example 2(D)).

Fractions exhibiting substantial neutrophil inhibitory activity (assessed using the neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay (Example 1(C))) were combined and concentrated to about 3 ml using an Amicon centrifugal concentrator equipped with a 10,000 molecular weight cut-off membrane (CentriPrep 10, Amicon, Beverly, Mass.) and applied to a 1×25 cm C4 300 Å reverse phase column (5 μm particle size, Vydac, Hesperia, Calif.) equilibrated with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. The column was washed with four column volumes of equilibration buffer and then developed with a linear gradient of acetonitrile from 15 to 40% over 10 column volumes at a flow rate of 5 ml/min. A major complex peak absorbing at 214, 254, and 280 nm eluted at about 36-38% acetonitrile.

Fractions including and bracketing this peak were dried using a centrifugal evaporator to remove solvent and trifluoroacetic acid and rehydrated with 0.065M potassium phosphate, pH 7.0, 0.08M NaCl. The rehydrated fractions possessed substantial neutrophil inhibitory activity as judged by the neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay (Example 1(C)) and the hydrogen peroxide release assay (Example 1(E)).

Fractions with substantial activity were combined and sequenced by Edman degradation using a 470A/120A/900A gas phase sequencer (ABI, Foster City, Calif.) (See Example 9) and yielded the following sequence:

Asn-Glu-His-Asn-Leu-Arg-Xxx-Pro-Gln-Xxx-Gly-Thr-Glu-Met-Pro-Gly-Phe-Xxx-Asp-Ser-Ile-Arg-Leu-Gln-Phe-Leu-Ala-Met-H is-Asn-Gly-Tyr-Arg-Ser-Lys-Leu-Ala-Leu-Gly-His-Ile-Ser-Ile-Thr-Glu SEQ ID NO.15!. "Xxx" refers to an undetermined amino acid at that position, since no specific amino acid was identified during Edman degradation of the peptide.

This sequence matches the predicted N-terminal sequence of NIF-1FL, the NIF isoform used in this construction construct (pHIL7SP-N1c10; see FIG. 8). The first position at which a residue was not detected is predicted to be a cysteine; cysteine residues could not be detected in this analysis because the protein had not been alkylated. The two other positions at which residues were not detected correspond to asparagine residues followed by either a serine or threonine one residue distant. This is a glycosylation consensus sequence Asn-Xxx-(Ser/Thr)! and the fact that asparagine was not detected strongly suggests that these asparagines are glycosylated. The C4-purified preparation was estimated to have an IC₅₀ of about 5-10 nM in the hydrogen peroxide release assay (Example 1(E)).

EXAMPLE 13 Determination of Specificity of the Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor

To test the specificity of the Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of the present invention, and to confirm that it did not inhibit neutrophil activation by a general cytotoxic mechanism, the activity of the inhibitor was assessed in a non-neutrophil cell adhesion-based assay, platelet aggregation.

The effects of the hookworm Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor on blood platelet aggregation were examined. Platelet aggregation was performed with human platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP was stirred at 37° C. in an aggregometer (Scienco Model 247, Morrison, Colo.) and aggregation was initiated by the addition of 10 μM ADP (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). Aggregation was monitored as a change in light transmittance, and is expressed as the initial rate of aggregation. A concentration of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of approximately 150 nM, a concentration that completely blocked neutrophil function as assessed by neutrophil-HUVEC and neutrophil-plastic adhesion assays, homotypic neutrophil aggregation and hydrogen peroxide release by neutrophils, had no inhibitory effect on ADP-induced aggregation of human platelets.

EXAMPLE 14 CD11b/CD18 Integrin is a Primary Receptor for Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor from Hookworm

(A) Immunoprecipitation of ¹²⁵ I-Labelled NIF Using Monoclonal Antibodies to CD11b/CD18 in the Presence of Neutrophil Extract.

NIF purified from Ancylostoma caninum was radiolabeled using the following method. Approximately 30 μg NIF was labeled with 2 mCi Na¹²⁵ I (carrier free; Amersham, Arlington Hills, Ill.) using Enzymobeads (BioRad, Hercules, Calif.) Briefly, to a 1.5 ml eppendorf test tube was added 360 μl of the Enzymobead suspension together with 180 μl of a 1% beta-D-glucose solution, NIF and Na¹²⁵ I. This mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 30 minutes. Labeled NIF was separated from unbound ¹²⁵ I-iodine by desalting on a PD10-DG column (BioRad, Hercules, Calif.) using phosphate buffered saline (0.1M sodium phosphate pH 7.2, 0.15M sodium chloride) containing 1% bovine serum albumin as elution buffer. Radioactive fractions containing NIF were pooled. The specific activity of the ¹²⁵ I-NIF was 13.9 μCi/μg.

Various leukocyte proteins were assessed for ability to capture NIF in immunoprecipitation experiments. Potential cellular receptors for NIF were selected from a detergent extract of leukocytes using specific monoclonal antibodies.

Leukocytes were prepared from human blood using Mono-poly (ICN, Biomedicals Inc., Costa Mesa, Calif.). The leukocyte cell pellet was resuspended in 1 ml resuspension buffer (20 mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM CaCl₂) followed by the addition of 1 ml extraction buffer (2% Triton X-100, 20 mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM CaCl₂). Cells were incubated on ice 30-60 minutes, vortexing briefly every 10 minutes. Cell debris was pelleted at 5000 g for 5 minutes at 4° C.

Monoclonal antibody-test protein complexes were formed by incubating 10 μg specific monoclonal antibody with 200 μl of leukocyte detergent extract at 4° C. for 4 hours. To this mixture was added 2.5 μl of the ¹²⁵ I-NIF and these reagents were incubated at 4° C. for 18 hours. Precipitation of the complex was effected by adding this mixture to a 1.5 ml eppendorf test tube containing 50 μl of protein G-sepharose (Pharmacia, Pistacaway N.J.; resuspended in TACTS 20 buffer (0.05% Tween 20, 20 mM Tris pH 8, 120 mM NaCl, 2 mM CaCl₂) with 1% bovine serum albumin) and gently agitating at 4° C. for 2 hours.

The protein G-sepharose beads were subsequently washed four times with TACTS 20 buffer. Fifty microliters of Laemmli sample buffer (Laemmli, U. K., 1970, Nature, 227:680-685) containing 5% β-mercaptoethanol was then added to the aspirated beads; this material was incubated at 100° C. for 10 minutes and loaded onto 4-12% gradient SDS-polyacrylamide gels (Novex, San Diego, Calif.). Gels were dried after running and visualized by exposure to X-Omat film (Kodak, Rochester, N.Y.) in the presence Quanta III screens (Dupont, Wilmington, Del.) at -70° C. Size standards were ¹⁴ C-Rainbow markers (Amersham, Arlington Hills, Ill.).

When monoclonal antibodies (MAb) directed to the CD11b/CD18 integrin complex (OKM-1, ATCC# CRL8026; LM-2, ATCC# HB204) were used in these experiments, ¹²⁵ I-NIF was precipitated as evidenced by a band that migrated with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 41,000 daltons upon autoradiography. Precipitation of ¹²⁵ I-NIF was dependent on the presence of these antibodies as well as the presence of leukocyte extract. Furthermore, the precipitation of ¹²⁵ I-NIF was not observed in the presence of a one hundred fold molar excess of cold NIF. ¹²⁵ I-NIF did not precipitate when MAbs to other leukocyte integrins were used including MAbs directed against the VLA-4 (L25.3; Becton Dickinson, Sunnyvale, Calif.) and CD11c/CD18 (SHCL-3; Becton Dickinson, Sunnyvale, Calif.) integrin complexes. A relatively minor amount of ¹²⁵ I-NIF was observed when a MAb directed against the CD11a/CD18 (TS1/22; ATCC# HB202) integrin complex was used. This was likely due to cross-reactivity of the anti-CD11a/CD18 antibody with the related integrin complex CD11b/CD18. These results demonstrate that CD11b/CD18 is a cell-surface receptor for Ancylostoma caninum NIF on leukocytes.

(B) Precipitation of ¹²⁵ I-CD11b/CD18 Using Biotinylated NIF

As another approach to identify NIF receptors on leukocytes, biotin-labeled NIF was used to precipitate NIF-associating proteins from a detergent extract of surface iodinated leukocytes.

NIF was biotinylated by conjugation to its carbohydrate moieties. Approximately 16 μg of NIF purified from hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum) lysates (hydroxyapatite eluate; see Example 2(D)) was oxidized with 50 mM NaIO₄ in 1 ml 0.1M sodium acetate, pH 5.5. After 20 minutes at 4° C. the reaction was terminated with the addition of 100 μl 165 mM glycerol. Oxidized NIF was separated from other reaction products using a Microcon 10 concentrator (Amicon, Beverly, Mass.), and diluted into 100 μl 0.1M sodium acetate, pH 5.5. Biotinylation was effected by the addition of 400 μl 6.25 mM biotin-LC-hydrazide (Pierce, Skokie, Ill.). The reaction was allowed to proceed for 18 hours at 4° C. Biotinylated NIF was worked up by buffer exchange into phosphate buffered saline (PBS; 0.1M sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, pH 7.2), using a Microcon 10 concentrator. To 250 μl of the concentrate was added an equal volume of glycerol, giving a final NIF-biotin concentration of approximately 32 μg/ml. This material was stored at -20° C.

The anti-CD18 integrin complex monoclonal antibodies LM-2 and OKM-1 (anti-CD11b/CD18; ATCC #HB204 and CRL8026, respectively) and TS1/22 (anti-CD11a/CD18; ATCC# HB202) were biotinylated using the protocol described above.

Cell surface iodination of human leukocytes was done using the following procedure. A total leukocyte fraction, prepared from 90 ml of fresh human blood using Mono-Poly density gradient separation (ICN Biomedical, Costa Mesa, Calif.), was suspended in 0.5 ml phosphate buffered saline. To the cell suspension was added 2 mCi Na¹²⁵ I (carrier free; Amersham; Arlington Heights, Ill.), 60 μl 0.03% hydrogen peroxide and 100 μl lactoperoxidase at 2 mg/ml (BioRad; Hercules, Calif.). The reaction was allowed to proceed for 30 minutes at room temperature, with gentle agitation every two minutes. The reaction was terminated by the addition of 25 mM KI in PBS, and the cells were washed two times with PBS. The leukocyte cell pellet was resuspended in 1 ml resuspension buffer and leukocyte extract was prepared as described above in Example 14(A).

Sixty microliters of NIF-biotin (32 μg/ml) was diluted with 40 μl resuspension buffer and incubated with 200 μl ¹²⁵ I-labeled leukocyte extract at room temperature for 6 hours. Precipitation of NIF-associating proteins from the leukocyte extract was effected by the addition of 100 μl streptavidin-agarose (Pharmacia; Piscataway, N.J.) to this mixture. Test tubes were agitated gently for 18 hours at 4° C. Beads were subsequently washed four times with 500 μl TACTS-20 buffer (0.05% Tween 20, 20 mM Tris pH 8, 120 mM NaCl, 2 mM CaCl₂), and associated proteins were solubilized with 50 μl sample buffer (5% β-mercaptoethanol) and analyzed by SDS-PAGE as described in Example 5. Control precipitations were performed in a similar manner with biotinylated monoclonal antibodies to CD11b/CD18 and CD11a/CD18.

Biotinylated NIF precipitated two ¹²⁵ I-labeled polypeptides that, when separated by 6% SDS-PAGE, had apparent molecular weights of about 170 kDa and about 95 kDa. These polypeptides comigrated on SDS-PAGE in this experiment with the two polypeptides that were precipitated by the anti-CD11b/CD18 monoclonal antibodies LM-2 and OKM-1. This data strongly suggests that CD11b/CD18 is a major receptor for NIF on leukocytes when considered with the results of the previous experiment (Example 14(A)), in which CD11b/CD18 was shown to associate with NIF.

EXAMPLE 15 Preparation of Native Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor from Toxocara canis

(A) Preparation of Toxocara Lysate.

Frozen canine worms Toxocara canis were obtained from Antibody Systems (Bedford, Tex.) and were stored at -70° C. until homogenized. Toxocara canis were homogenized on ice in homogenization buffer 0.02M Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 0.05M NaCl, 0.001M MgCl₂, 0.001M CaCl₂, 1.0×10⁻⁵ M E-64 Protease Inhibitor (CAS 66701-25-5), 1.0×10⁻⁶ M pepstatin A (isovaleryl-Val-Val-4-amino-3-hydroxy-6-methyl-heptanoyl-Ala-4-amino-3-hydroxy-6-methylheptanoic acid, CAS 26305-03-3), 1.0×10⁻⁵ M chymostatin (CAS 9076-44-2), 2.0×10⁻⁵ M APMSF (amidinophenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride-HCl), 5% (v/v) glycerol! using an Ultra-Tarrax homogenizer (Janke and Kunkel, Stanfen, Germany). The protease inhibitors E64, pepstatin A, chymostatin, and APMSF were obtained from Calbiochem (La Jolla, Calif.). Approximately 3-6 ml of homogenization buffer was used to homogenize each gram of frozen worm. Twenty-four grams of worms was used in total. Insoluble material was pelleted by two sequential centrifugation steps: 40,000×g_(max) at 4° C. for 25 minutes followed by 105,000×g_(max) at 4° C. for 1 hour. The supernatant solution was clarified by passage through glass wool and a 0.45 μm cellulose acetate filter (CoStar, Cambridge, Mass.).

(B) Concanavalin A Sepharose Chromatography of Toxocara Lysate

Toxocara canis lysate (68 ml) was absorbed to 26 ml of Concanavalin A Sepharpose (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) pre-equilibrated with Con A buffer 0.02M Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 1M NaCl, 0.001M CaCl₂, 0.001M MnSO₄ ! by recycling it through a 1.6×13 cm column at a flow rate of 4 ml/minute (119 cm/hour) for 2 hours. The column was at room temperature (24° C.) while the reservoir of lysate was maintained on ice throughout the procedure. The column was subsequently washed with 100 ml of Con A buffer. Material that had activity in anti-adhesion assays (see, Section (D) below) was eluted with approximately 3-5 column volumes of Con A buffer containing 0.5M methyl-alpha-mannopyranoside (CAS 617-04-09) at a flow rate of 1 ml/minute (30 cm/hour). The eluted material was concentrated to 5 ml using an Amicon stirred ultrafiltration vessel equipped with a 10,000 molecular weight cutoff membrane, then diluted to 50 ml with deionized water, and reconcentrated to 2.3 ml using a centrifugal ultrafiltration unit with a 10,000 molecular weight cut-off (Polysciences, Inc., Warrington, Pa.) Material used for molecular sieve chromatography with Superdex columns (1.5 ml) was additionally concentrated to 0.5 ml using centrifugal ultrafiltration units with a 10,000 molecular weight cut-off (Amicon, Inc., Beverly, Mass.).

(C) Molecular Sieve Chromatography Using Superdex 200 HR.

Material eluted from immobilized Concanavalin A (see step (B) above) and concentrated by ultrafiltration was loaded on a 1.0 cm×30 cm column of Superdex 200 HR (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.). The column was pre-equilibrated with 0.01M potassium phosphate, pH 7.35, and 0.15M NaCl at 24° C. The chromatography was conducted at a flow rate of 0.25 ml/minute. Anti-adhesion activity eluted with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 20,000.

(D) Assay of Neutophil Inhibitory Activity Isolated from Toxocara canis

Material eluted from Concanavalin A Sepharose with methyl alpha-mannopyranoside was assayed by the neutrophil-HUVEC adhesion assay (see Example 1(B)) and was found to inhibit the adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells. Adhesion inhibitory activity was also demonstrated using the neutrophil-plastic adhesion assay. (Example 1(C)).

Material purified by chromatography on both Concanavalin A Sepharose and Superdex 200 HR inhibited neutrophil adhesion in the neutrophil-adhesion assay (see Example 1(C)).

EXAMPLE 16 In Vivo Characterization of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor

Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor isolated from canine hookworms was tested in an animal model of acute inflammation.

Peritoneal inflammation was induced in 150-250 gram Sprague-Dawley rats by an intraperitoneal injection of nine ml of 2% oyster glycogen in H₂ O (see Baron et al., Journal of Immunological Methods, 49:305, 1982; McCarron et al., Methods in Enzymology, 108:274, 1984; Feldman et al., Journal of Immunology, 113:329, 1974; Rodrick et al., Inflammation, 6:1, 1982; and Kikkawa et al., Laboratory Investigation, 30:76, 1974).

NIF was prepared as described in Example 2. Lysate from approximately 20,000 hookworms (48.2 g wet weight) was prepared and chromatographed on ConA, Superdex, and hydroxyapatite (HA). The active fractions from two equivalent HA runs were combined to yield 41 ml of HA material. One ml of NIF solution (11 μg) was administered simultaneously with the glycogen by the intraperitoneal route or thirty minutes prior to glycogen administration by the intravenous route. Four hours later the peritoneal exudate was harvested by purging the peritoneal cavity with 30 ml of Hanks Balanced Salt Solution without Ca⁺⁺ or Mg⁺⁺, supplemented with 0.03% EDTA and blood cells were counted on a Celldyn 3000 (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill.) automated multiparameter differential cell counting instrument. The major cellular component in the exudate was neutrophils. FIG. 10 depicts the effects of varying doses of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor isolated from canine hookworms on neutrophil infiltration in peritoneal inflammation in rats induced by interperitoneal infusion with glycogen. Glycogen (9 ml) and Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor (1 ml) were injected simultaneously by intraperitoneal route.

FIG. 10 shows the results of six independent experiments. NIF caused a dose dependent inhibition of neutrophil infiltration to the rat peritoneal cavity in response to glycogen.

A second study was performed to determine if intravenous administration of NIF could prevent glycogen-induced rat peritoneal inflammation. In one set of rats, NIF and glycogen were administered by the intraperitoneal route as previously described. In a second group of rats, 1 μg of NIF was administered intravenously thirty minutes prior to the intraperitoneal infusion of glycogen. A third group of animals received glycogen and NIF treatment was replaced with saline. Four hours later the peritoneal exudate was collected and blood cells were counted.

FIG. 11 depicts the effect of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor isolated from canine hookworms on neutrophil infiltration in peritoneal inflammation in rats induced by intraperitoneal infusion of glycogen. Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor (1 ml) was injected by intraperitoneal route in conjunction with intraperitoneal infusion of glycogen, or by intravenous route thirty minutes prior to infusion of glycogen. FIG. 11 represents a summary of the six independent experiments for the intraperitoneal administration of NIF and the results of the single experiment for the intravenous administration of NIF. These results demonstrate that NIF, when administered by either the intraperitoneal or intravenous route, was effective in the prevention of peritoneal inflammatory response in glycogen-stimulated rats.

EXAMPLE 17 Inhibition of Neutrophil-Mediated Inflammation In Vivo by Recombinant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor

The in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of recombinant NIF (rNIF) were tested in a rat ear inflammation assay (adapted from Young et al., 1984).

In this assay, inflammation was induced in the rat ear by topical administration of arachidonic acid. Sprague-Dawley rats (250 g) were anesthetized with pentobarbital (initial dose of 65 mg/kg intraperitoneal; Anpro Pharmaceutical, Arcadia, Calif.); rats were maintained at a surgical plane of anesthesia for the duration of the experiment (4 hours). A catheter was inserted into the femoral vein of the anesthetized rat. One hundred microliters of recombinant NIF (produced in Pichia pastoris; see Example 12) at a concentration of 20 mg/ml in PBS was injected via the catheter. Control rats received 100 μL sterile 0.14M NaCl. Five minutes after the IV administration of rNIF, arachidonic acid (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.; diluted 1:1 with acetone to a final concentration of 500 mg/ml) was applied to the right ear in three 10 μl applications each to the inside and the outside of the ear. The right ear thus received a total dose of 30 mg arachidonic Acid. The left ear, used as a background control, received a total of 60 μl acetone. Four hours after administration of arachidonic acid the rat was sacrificed with CO₂.

Neutrophil infiltration into the arachidonic acid-treated ear tissue was quantitated indirectly by determining myeloperoxidase activity. A tissue sample was obtained from the center of each ear using a 7 mm skin punch (Miltex; Lake Success, N.Y.). The tissue sample was cut into small pieces and added to a 16×100 mm test tube that contained 0.5 ml HTAB buffer (0.5% hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide in 50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.4; HTAB was purchased from Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). The ear tissue was homogenized for 20 seconds using an Ultra-Turrax (Janke and Kunkel; Staufen, Germany) at high speed. Insoluble matter was removed from the homogenate by centrifugation at 14,000×g for 10 minutes followed by filtration through Nytex gauze. Myeloperoxidase determinations were done in triplicate in 96 well polystyrene plates (Costar; Cambridge, Mass.). Twenty five microliters of HTAB-solubilized ear tissue was added to each well, and to this was added 100 μl of substrate solution. Substrate solution comprised two components: (1) 0.012% H₂ O₂ in 0.1M sodium acetate pH 4.5 and (2) 0.3 mg/ml 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine in 10% HCl, combined immediately prior to use at a ratio of 0.125:1. After ten minutes the reaction was stopped by the addition of 125 μl 1M H₂ SO₄. Samples, were quantitated calorimetrically at 450 nm and background was read at 650 nm. A standard curve was generated using human leukocyte myeloperoxidase (Sigma; St. Louis, Mo.).

Recombinant NIF had a protective effect on arachidonic acid-induced neutrophil infiltration into ear tissue. FIG. 12 shows that ear tissue from rats that received rNIF had a mean of 1.6 myeloperoxidase units/ml (MU/ml) whereas ears from rats that received saline had a mean of 4.1 MU/ml, when background myeloperoxidase activity is subtracted (n=10 in each group). One myeloperoxidase unit will produce an increase in absorbance at 470 nm of 1.0 per minute at pH 7.0 and 25° C., calculated from the initial rate of reaction using guaiacol as substrate (Desser, R. K., et al., Arch. Biochem, Biophys. 148:452 (1972)). Neutrophil infiltration was thus reduced ˜60% in rats that received rNIF (8 mg/kg IV); there is a significant difference at the 95% confidence level between rats that received NIF and rats that received saline (Student's t test). These results are consistent with the demonstration that hookworm-derived NIF prevented neutrophil infiltration into the peritoneal cavity of rats in response to glycogen (see Example 16). These data further provide evidence that rNIF acts as a potent anti-inflammatory agent in vivo.

EXAMPLE 18 The Use of Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor DNA Sequences to Isolate Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor-Related Proteins

NIF cDNA sequences are used as probes to isolate DNA sequences that encode proteins that are functionally and structurally related to NIF.

Genomic DNA or cDNA libraries are formed using standard procedure (for example see Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual. Sambrook, J., Fritsch, EF., and Maniatis, T. 2nd Ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Springs Harbor, N.Y. 1989). These libraries may be from any animal, fungal, bacterial or viral source, such as Ancylostoma caninum, other Ancylostoma species, other helminths and mammals including human placental tissue.

Such libraries are screened for useful clones by nucleic acid hybridization using NIF cDNA sequences isolated from Ancylostoma as probe. For example, NIF cDNA fragments of about 100-2000 base pairs labeled for detection by standard procedure (for example, see Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual. Sambrook, J., Fritsch, EF., and Maniatis, T. 2nd Ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Springs Harbor, N.Y. 1989) is hybridized with a library from another tissue or another species under conditions of variable stringency. More preferably, however, reduced stringency hybridization conditions are utilized (eg 6× SSC SSC is 150 mM NaCl, 15 mM trisodium citrate!, 0.02M sodium phosphate pH 6.5, 5× Denhardt's solution, 0.5% (w/v) SDS, 0.01M EDTA, 100 μg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA, 0.23% dextran sulfate, 20-30% formamide at 42° C. for 18 hours). Also, more preferably, reduced stringency conditions are used to wash filters after hybridization (0.5 to 2× SSC at 45-60° C. for 20 minutes after two prewashes with 2× SSC for 15 minutes).

NIF-related complementary DNAs isolated using the techniques described above are subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis using the procedure of dideoxy sequencing (Sanger et al, 1977, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 74:5463-5467). Isolates containing open reading frames (i.e., initiating with a methionine and terminating with a TAA, TGA or TAG stop codon) are inserted into suitable vectors for protein expression in either bacterial, yeast, insect or mammalian cells. Expression systems comprise vectors designed to secrete recombinant protein (i.e., fusion of cDNA isolate open reading frame with a known secretion signal sequence for that cell type) into the culture medium. Vectors lacking a homologous secretion signal sequence are also used for expression. Either conditioned media or cell lysate, depending on the expression system used, is tested for inhibitory activity using one or more of the following criteria for neutrophil activation: release of hydrogen peroxide, release of superoxide anion, release of myeloperoxidase, release of elastase, homotypic neutrophil aggregation, adhesion to plastic surfaces, adhesion to vascular endothelial cells, chemotaxis, transmigration across a monolayer of endothelial cells and phagocytosis.

Proteins that are structurally related to NIF and that are inhibitory in one or more of these neutrophil function assays would be considered to belong to the NIF family of related molecules.

EXAMPLE 19 Expression of Functional Recombinant NIF in E. coli

DNA for the NIF-1FL coding region, initiating at the codon that corresponds to the N-terminal methionine, is inserted into an E. coli expression vector. Examples of such vectors are given in Balbas, P. and Bolivar, F., 1990 (Methods in Enzymology, 185:14-37). The DNA is inserted into the E. coli expression vector using methods similar to the methods of insertion of the NIF-1FL coding region into mammalian and yeast expression vectors described in Examples 11 and 12, respectively. PCR oligonucleotide primers are designed to generate an amplification product that contains the NIF-1FL coding region. As was described in connection for the methods for insertion of NIF-1FL into mammalian and yeast expression vectors (see Examples 11 and 12, respectively), primers are engineered so that this fragment contains 5' and 3' restriction sites that are compatible with insertion into the selected expression vector. The expression construct is preferably engineered so that the recombinant NIF will be secreted into the cytoplasm and not the periplasmic space. This may be accomplished by omitting an E. coli secretion signal from the construct.

E. coli cells are transformed withAthe NIF-1FL expression vector construct using standard methods. (see, e.g., Molecular Cloning A Laboratory Manual, Sambrook, J. Fritsch, E. F. and Maniatis, T., Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989, 1.74-1.84). Cells are grown in appropriate media (e.g. Luria Broth; see Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual, Sambrook, J. Fritsch, E. F. and Maniatis, T., Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989, A.1) and harvested before they reach the stationary phase of growth.

The majority of the recombinant NIF should be present in the cytoplasm in the form of insoluble and functionally inactive aggregates. The solubilization and refolding of the recombinant protein present in these aggregates may be accomplished using known methods such as those reviewed in detail in Kohno et al., 1990 (Methods in Enzymology, 185:187-195). Refolded recombinant NIF may be separated from unfolded recombinant NIF and other reaction products using a number of standard chromatographic techniques, including C4 reverse phase HPLC (see, e.g., Example 2(E)). Refolded recombinant NIF is tested for functional activity using the neutrophil function assays described in Example 1.

This recombinant NIF is not glycosylated.

EXAMPLE 20 Preparation of Functional Recombinant NIF by Refolding `Insoluble` Methionyl-NIF Produced in the E. coli Cytoplasm

(A) Description of the E. coli Expression Vector pMa5-NI1/3

PCR oligonucleotide primers were designed to generate an amplification product that contains the NIF-1FL coding region. The PCR product initiates at the first Asn-codon of mature NIF-1FL which as a result of the amplification was changed from AAT to AAC. The 3'-primer replaces the TGA translational stop codon by a TAA triplet and introduces a SpeI, a HindIII and a BglII site downstream of the coding region. The PCR primers were as follows:

Pst414:

5'-CCTCCTCCTA-GATCTAAGCT-TACTAGTTTA-TAACTCTCGG-AATCGATAA A-ACTC SEQ ID NO.16! (54-mer; 3'-primer matching with the C-terminus)

Pst415:

5'-AACGAACACA-ACCTGAGGTG-CCCG (24-mer; SEQ ID N).17! 5'-primer matching with the N-terminus)

After digestion with HindIII, the correctly sized PCR fragment was isolated from agarose-gel and inserted on an E. coli expression vector downstream of the phage lambda P_(R) promoter. The recipient vector was opened with NcoI, treated with DNA poliymerase I (Klenow fragment) and subsequently digested with HindIII. The resultant vector, designated pMa5-NI1/3, is schematically shown in FIG. 14; the sequence of the relevant part of the vector is shown in FIG. 15. The NIF-1FL region present in this vector was entirely sequenced to rule out the presence of unwanted mutations. The expression module consists of the following elements: (1) The phage lambda P_(R) promoter. (2) A small cistron which is present upstream of the Met-NIF-1FL region; this upstream cistron includes the first nine codons of the phage lambda cro gene and terminates at the TAA stop located in between the Shine Delgarno (SD)-box and the ATG initiator codon of Met-NIF-1FL (see FIG. 14 and 15). The leader-cistron has the potential to code for a 31 residue polypeptide. Such a two-cistron arrangement, in addition to being found in a number of `natural` operons, has been used succesfully for improving the expression of heterologous genes whose level of expression is thought to be limited by the initiation of translation (Schoner et al., PNAS 81:5403-5407 (1984); Spanjaard et al., Gene 80:345-351 (1989); Makoff and Smallwood, NAR 18:1711-1718 (1990). (3) An open reading frame encoding Methionyl-NIF-1FL. The construction scheme is indeed such that the NIF-FL1 5'-end is correctly fused to an ATG initiator codon. Upstream of this ATG codon a SD-sequence (eg, GGAGGT; see FIGS. 14 and 15) is present. (4) Two copies of a phage fd derived transcription terminator (fdT) downstream of the Met-NIF-1FL coding region.

(B) Production of `insoluble` methionyl-NIF.

To assess the effectiveness of pMa5-NI1/3 in expressing the NIF-1FL gene, the vector was introduced in W3110 cells harboring pcI857. The plasmid pcI857 specifies resistance to kanamycin (20 μg/ml), encodes a temperature sensitive repressor of the lambda P_(R) promoter, and is compatible with the pMa5-NI1/3. Cultures were grown in LB medium at 28° C. to a density of about 2×10⁸ cells/ml and then induced at 42° C. for 2-3 hours. Analysis of total cellular extracts of induced and non-induced cells by SDS-PAGE indicated that a new ˜33 kDa protein (calculated molecular weight of NIF-1FL=˜29 kDa) is synthesized upon thermo-induction of the promoter. In addition to total cellular extracts, we also analysed the pellet (insoluble) and supernatant (soluble) fraction obtained by opening the induced cells by sonication and clearing the lysate by centrifugation. The results indicated that the newly synthesized ˜33 kDa protein precipitates intracellularly, i.e. forms so-called inclusion bodies. Following fractionation on an SDS-polyacrylamide gel, transfer onto ProBlott (ABI) and visualization by coomassie-staining, the ˜33 kDa band was excised and its N-terminal amino acid sequence determined. The sequence obtained was: M-N-E-H . . . SEQ ID NO.103!. . . . This result demonstrated that the initiator methionine was not removed from the primary translation product and clearly identified the 33 kDa band as recombinant NIF. It was estimated that the recombinant NIF protein accumulates to ˜10 mg per liter and per OD₆₅₀ unit.

(C) Renaturation of NIF Protein expressed in E. coli.

W3110 E. coli cells containing the plasmid pMa5-NI1/3 were grown in a shake flask incubator in six liter flasks each containing 1.5 liters of LB media at 28° C. until the optical density (OD) was in the range of 0.6-0.9 au at 550 nm. An additional 1.5 liters of LB media at 56° C. was added to each flask to induce expression of recombinant NIF, and the flasks were incubated at 42° C. with shaking. The OD was monitored and cells were harvested by centrifugation when the OD was within the range of 1.0-1.5. The cell pellets were frozen at -80° C. Each tube contained about 3.5 g cells.

Fifteen milliliters of TES buffer (0.05M Tris, 0.05M sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, 15% (w/v) sucrose, pH 8.0) was added to one tube, and the tube was sonicated to thaw and disperse the cell pellet. The suspension was then distributed into two 30 ml glass centrifuge tubes. An additional 2.5 ml of TES was used to wash the original tube and this wash solution was added to the glass tube. The suspensions in the glass tubes were sonicated (Branson Sonic Power Co., Danbury, Conn.) four times for 30 seconds each, with an ice incubation between sonications to maintain the temperature ≦10° C. throughout the procedure. The tubes were then centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20 minutes (12,100×g_(max)) at 4° C. The supernatants were discarded. The pellets were resuspended in 15 ml of PSX buffer (0.02M potassium phosphate, 1M sodium chloride, 1% (v/v) Triton X-100, pH 7.2) per tube and sonicated at a low setting to break up the pellets followed by a 15 second sonication at medium power. The tubes were cooled on ice, resonicated at medium power for 15 seconds; and then centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20 minutes (12,100×g_(max)). The supernatant was discarded. The entire PSX resuspension/centrifugation process was repeated two additional times.

The pellets were resuspended in 15 ml of PBS buffer (0.01M sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, pH 7.3) per tube, briefly sonicated, and centrifuged as before. The PBS resuspension was repeated one additional time.

The pellets were then resuspended in PBS by sonication, 12.5 ml per tube. The contents of both tubes were combined, and the volume was brought to 30 ml by the addition of further PBS. The protein concentration of the purified inclusion bodies was determined using the DC Protein Assay (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif.).

An aliquot of purified inclusion bodies containing 5 mg of protein was placed in each of several 1.7 ml plastic microcentrifuge tubes. The tubes were microcentrifuged for 10 minutes at 4° C. The supernatants were discarded. Each pellet was resuspended in 1 ml of 0.05M Tris, 1% (w/v) Sarkosyl, pH 7.5 using sonication.

The tubes were vortexed at 37° C. for 48 hours using a Thermomixer vortexer (Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany). Following this incubation, samples were submitted for NIF activity assays (see Example 1). Typically, activity corresponding to the activation (refolding) of 3% of the NIF present was found.

EXAMPLE 21 Isolation and Characterization of NIF from Ancylostoma caninum

(A) Cloning and Sequencing of NIF Sequences from A. caninum

Two new full-length coding regions that code for proteins related to NIF-1FL (see Example 10) were identified by PCR technology using single stranded oligonucleotide DNA primers that match with the NIF-1FL N- and C-terminal ends. These primers were as follows:

YG1:

5'-ATG-GAG-GCC-TAT-CTT-GTG-GTC-TTA (5'-primer SEQ ID NO.18! matching with the N-terminal region encoding: M-E-A-Y-L-V-V-L SEQ ID NO.19!)

YG2:

5'-TCA-TAA-CTC-TCG-GAA-TCG-ATA-AAA-CTC (3'-primer SEQ ID NO.20! matching with C-terminal sequence corresponding to: E-F-Y-R-F-R-E-L-stop codon SEQ ID NO.21!.

The YG1/YG2 primer couple was found to yield a correctly sized PCR product when using a total RNA preparation of A caninum (see Example 10) as template. First strand cDNA synthesis (First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit of Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden; 10 pmoles of the YG2 primer; ˜15 μg of total RNA) and the subsequent amplification by PCR were carried out according to the manufacturer's specifications. The PCR was carried out with Taq DNA polymerase (Boehringer, Mannheim, Germany), 100 pmoles of both YG1 and YG2 and using 30 temperature cycles (1 minute denaturation step at 95° C.; 1 minute annealing period at 55° C.; 1.5 minute elongation step). The obtained PCR product was isolated from agarose gel and cloned onto a phagemid vector (allowing preparation of single stranded DNA). Three clones, designated PCR-NIF5, PCR-NIF7 and PCR-NIF20, were retained for sequence determination. PCR-NIF5 was found to be identical to NIF-1FL. PCR-NIF7 and PCR-NIF20, however, represent two new NIF sequences. Their sequences are shown in FIG. 16.

Additional full-length A. caninum NIF sequences were isolated by screening a cDNA library using as hybridization probe a radiolabeled PCR fragment obtained with primers that target sequences which are well conserved among the seven A. caninum NIF sequences described in Example 10 (1FL, 3P, 2FL, 3FL, 4FL, 6FL and 1P). The following primers were used:

YG3:

5'-CAC-AAT-GGT-TAC-AGA-TCG-AGA-CTT-GCG-CTA-GGT-CAC SEQ ID NO.22! the 5'-primer targeting the region which in NIF-1FL encodes the amino acid sequence H-N-G-Y-R-S-K-L-A-L-G-H SEQ ID NO.23!)

YG4:

5'-T-TTT-TGG-GTA-GTG-GCA-GAC-TAC-ATG SEQ ID NO.24! the 3'-primer targeting the region which in NIF-1FL encodes H-V-V-C-H-Y-P-K-(I) SEQ ID NO.25!

Poly(A+) RNA was prepared from adult worms using the QuickPrep mRNA Purification Kit (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden). Using this poly(A+) RNA preparation as template, an amplification product of about the expected length was obtained with the YG3/YG4 primer couple (the PCR conditions were as descibed above). The amplification product was shown by gel-electrophoretic analysis to be rather heterogeneous with respect to length. The YG3/YG4 primers were indeed designed to target sequences that flank that part of the coding region where the various NIF sequences display significant differences in length; the heterogeneous nature of the PCR product indicated that the primers are useful for the amplification of several different isoforms. The PCR product were gel-purified and subsequently radiolabeled by "random primer extension" (^(T7) QuickPrime Kit™; Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) for use as hybridization probe. A cDNA library was constructed using described procedures (Promega Protocols and Applications Guide 2nd Ed.; Promega Corp.). About 3 μg of MRNA was reverse transcribed using an oligo(dT)-NotI primer-adaptor 5'-TCGCGGCCGC(T)₁₅ SEQ ID NO.26!; Promega Corp., Madison, Wis.! and AMV (Avian Myeloblastosis Virus) reverse transcriptase (Boehringer, Mannheim, Germany). The enzymes used for double stranded cDNA synthesis were the following: E. coli DNA polymerase I and RNaseH from BRL Life Technologies (Gaithersburg, Md.) and T4 DNA polymerase from Pharmacia. The obtained cDNA was treated with EcoRI methylase (RiboClone EcoRI Linker Ligation System; Promega). The cDNAs were digested with NotI and EcoRI, size selected on a 1% agarose gel (fragments of between 1000-7000 base-pairs were eluted using the Geneclean protocol, BIO101 Inc., La Jolla, Calif.), and unidirectionally ligated into the EcoRI-NotI arms of the lambda gt11 Sfi-Not vector (Promega). After in vitro packaging (GigapackII-Gold, Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) recombinant phage were obtained by infecting strain Y1090 (Promega). The usefulness of the cDNA library was demonstrated by PCR analysis (Taq polymerase from Boehringer; 30 temperature cycles: 1 minute 95° C.; 1 minute 50° C.; 3 minutes 72° C.) of a number of randomly picked clones using the lambda gt11 primer #1218 (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.) in combination with the above mentioned oligo(dT)-NotI primer adaptor. The majority of the clones was found to contain cDNA inserts of variable size.

Approximately 1×10⁶ cDNA clones (duplicate plaque-lift filters were prepared using Hybond™-N; Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England) were screened with the radiolabeled YG3/YG4 PCR fragment using the following prehybridization and hybridization conditions: 5× SSC (SSC: 150 mM NaCl, 15 mM trisodium citrate), 5× Denhardt's solution, 0.5% SDS, 50% formamide, 100 μg/ml sonicated fish sperm DNA (Boehringer), overnight at 42° C. The filters were washed 4 times in 2× SSC, 0.1% SDS at 37° C. After overnight exposure to X-ray film, numerous plaques that hybridized to the probe were identified; it was estimated that about 0.1-0.2% of the clones scored positive. After a second hybridization round (24 positives were analyzed at lower plaque-density so as to isolate single pure clones), a number of phage clones were subjected to PCR anlysis and those cDNA inserts which were found to be large enough to encompass the entire coding region were subcloned as SfiI-NotI fragments on pGEM-type phagemids (Promega). We have determined the sequence of eight of these NIF cDNAs (i.e., AcaNIF3, AcaNIF4, AcaNIF6, AcaNIF7, AcaNIF9, AcaNIF18, AcaNIF19, and AcaNIF24). The data are shown in FIG. 16.

(B) Expression of Functional NIF Proteins from A. caninum in Pichia Pastoris.

The segments of DNA encoding AcaNIF24, AcaNIF6, AcaNIF4, and AcaNIF9 were PCR amplified using pGEM-type vectors containing the respective cDNAs (see above) as template. The 5'-primers contained no restriction sites and matched with the 5'-end of that part of the coding regions corresponding to the mature protein. Also, the first codon was altered from AAT to AAC (both codons translate to asparagine). The sequences of the 5'-primers for the various NIF sequences were as follows:

AcaNIF24 SEQ ID NO.27!: 5'-AAC-GAA-CAC-AAc-CTG-ACG-TGC-CC

AcaNIF6 SEQ ID NO.28!: 5'-AAC-GAA-CAC-AAA-CCG-ATG-TGC-CAG-C

AcaNIF4 SEQ ID NO.29!: 5'-AAC-GAA-CAC-AAA-CCG-ATG-TGC-GAG

AcaNIF9 SEQ ID NO.30!: 5'-AAC-GAA-CAC-GAC-CCA-ACG-TGT-CC

The 3'-primers were composed of 8 codons at the 3' end of the coding region, a TAA stop replacing the TGA stop of the natural gene, and three unique restriction endonuclease sites (SpeI, HindIII, and BglII). The 3'-primers used were:AcaNIF24 SEQ. ID. NO. 31!:5'-CCT-CCT-CCT-AGA-TCT-AAG-CTT-ACT-AGT-TTA-AAA-TCG-ATA-AAA-CTC-CTT-GCT-ATCAcaNIF6 SEQ. ID. NO. 32!:5'-CCT-CCT-CCT-AGA-TCT-AAG-CTT-ACT-AGT-TTA-TAA-CTC-TCG-GAA-TCG-ATA-AAA-CTCAcaNIF4 SEQ. ID. NO. 33!:5'-CCT-CCT-CCT-AGA-TCT-AAG-CTT-ACT-AGT-TTA-TAA-CTC-TCG-GAA-TCG-ATA-AAA-CTCAcaNIF9 SEQ. ID. NO. 34!:5'-CCT-CCT-CCT-AGA-TCT-AAG-CTT-ACT-AGT-TTA-TAG-CTC-TCG-AAA-CGG-ATA-AAA-ATA

Amplification was accomplished using 100 pmoles of each primer, 2 units of Vent polymerase in 1× Vent buffer (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.), 0.2 mM of each dNTP and 100 ng of template DNA. The PCR conditions were the same for all twenty cycles: denaturation at 95° C. for 1 minute, primer annealing at 60° C. for 1 minute, and amplification for 1.5 minutes at 72° C. The amplification product was gel-purified and digested with SpeI. The amplification product was ligated into StuI-SpeI cleaved pHIL7SP8 using standard methods. The ligation mixture was used to transform E. coli WK6 selecting for ampicillin resistant clones. In each case a correct clone was identified by restriction and DNA sequence analysis. These plasmids, designated pYAM7SP-AcaNIF24, pYAM7SP-AcaNIF6, pYAM7SP-AcaNIF4, and pYAM7SP-AcaNIF9, were used to transform the P. pastoris yeast strain GTS115(his4), as described in Example 12(B). Selection of His⁺ transformants and subsequent selection for NIF expression were performed as described in Example 12(B). The accumulation of functional NIF protein in Pichia cell supernatant was detected and quantified using the LM2/CD11b/CD18 based ELISA with 3D2-HRP detection (Example 1) in the case of AcaNIF24, AcaNIF6, and AcaNIF4 and using the competitive assay for LM2/CD11b/CD18 (Example 1) in the case of the AcaNIF9.

(C) Purification and Characterization of NIF Proteins AcaNIF24. AcaNIF6, AcaNIF4. and AcaNIF9.

The functionally active recombinant AcaNIF24, AcaNIF6, and AcaNIF4 proteins were purified and characterized in greater detail. Following methanol induction for 48 hours, Pichia cell supernatants were obtained by centrifugation for 15 minutes at 1,800×g.

In the case of the recombinant proteins AcaNIF24 and AcaNIF6, the 250 ml supernant was adjusted to pH 7.0 by adding Tris-HCl and kept overnight at 4° C. Precipitated material was removed by centrifugation. The cleared supernatant was loaded on a 3D2-immunoaffinity resin and bound material eluted with glycine-HCl pH 2.5 (Example 27). The eluted fractions were neutralized and concentrated by ultrafiltration. Both proteins were found to migrate as a single band on SDS-PAGE (4-20% gradient al; Novex). Edman degradation confirmed that correctly processed proteins were produced. The following N-terminal amino acid sequences were found:

    AcaNIF24  SEQ. ID. NO. 35!:     N-E-H-X-L-T-X-P-Q-N     AcaNIF6  SEQ. ID. NO. 36!:     N-E-H-K-P-M-X-Q-Q-X-E-T-E-M-P     where X represents an unidentified residue.

The concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically and the samples were assayed in the plastic adhesion and peroxide release assays (see Example 1). Both recombinant AcaNIF24 and AcaNIF6 proteins were found to be equally active as recombinant NIF-1FL (FIG. 17).

Recombinant AcaNIF4 was purified by hydroxyapatite and reverse-phase chromatography essentially as described in Example 23, however, the gel filtration step on Superdex was omitted. The purified protein was found to migrate as a single band on SDS-PAGE (4-20% gradient gel; Novex). The concentration was determined spectrophotometrically. The results obtained in a competitive binding assay with biotinylated NIF-1FL indicated that AcaNIF4 had a significantly lower affinity for the LM2/CD11b/CD18 complex than NIF-1FL (FIG. 18).

Recombinant AcaNIF9 was partially purified by reverse-phase chromatography (see Example 23). Edman degradation revealed N-E-H-D-P SEQ ID NO.104! as N-terminal amino acid sequence confirming that correctly processed AcaNIF9 protein was produced. This partially purified protein was found to have a considerably higher mobility on SDS-PAGE (4-20% gradient gel; Novex) than the Pichia-produced NIF-1FL protein (30-35 kDa compared to 40-80 kDa) consistent with the presence of seven N-glycosylation sites in NIF-1FL and of only two potential N-glycosylation sites in AcaNIF9. The sample containing AcaNIF9 was tested in the competitive binding assay described in Example 1. The results demonstrated that binding of biotinylated recombinant NIF-1FL to the LM2/CD11b/CD18 complex can be prevented by recombinant AcaNIF9.

EXAMPLE 22 Isolation and Characterization of a NIF Protein from Ancylostoma ceylanicum

(A) Cloning and Sequencing of NIF Sequences From A. ceylanicum.

A full-length A. ceylanicum NIF gene was isolated by screening a cDNA library using as hybridization probe a PCR fragment effected from the same species. The PCR fragment was obtained using primers that target sequences which are highly conserved among the seven A. caninum NIF isoforms described in Example 10 (1FL, 3P, 2FL, 3FL, 4FL, 6FL and 1P). These primers, designated YG3 and YG4, are described in Example 20.

Poly(A+) RNA was prepared from A. ceylanicum adult worms using the:QuickPrep mRNA Purification Kit (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden). Using this poly(A+) RNA preparation as template, an amplification product of about the expected length (i.e., about the same length as the PCR fragment seen with A. caninum RNA as template) was obtained with the YG3/YG4 primer couple. First strand cDNA synthesis (First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit; Pharmacia) and the subsequent amplification by PCR were carried out according to the manufacturer's specifications using 10 pmoles of the YG2 primer (see Example 20) and 100 ng of A. ceylanicum mRNA. The PCR was carried out with Taq DNA polymerase (Boehringer, Mannheim, Germany), 100 pmoles of both YG3 and YG4 and using 30 temperature cycles (1 minute denaturation step at 95° C.; 1 minute annealing period at 55° C.; 1.5 minutes elongation step). The PCR product was gel-purified and subsequently radiolabeled by "random primer extension" (^(T7) QuickPrime Kit™; Pharmacia) for use as hybridization probe.

An A. ceylanicum cDNA library was constructed in lambda gt11 using the procedures described in Example 20. The quality of the cDNA library was demonstrated by PCR analysis (Taq polymerase from Boehringer; 30 temperature cycles: 1 minute at 95° C.; 1 minute at 50° C.; 3 minutes at 72° C.) of a number of randomly picked clones using the lambda gt11 primer #1218 (New England Biolabs) in combination with an oligo(dT)-NotI primer adaptor (Promega). The majority of the clones were found to contain cDNA inserts of variable size.

About 5×10⁵ lambda cDNA clones were screened with the radiolabeled YG3/YG4 PCR fragment using the hybridization conditions described in Example 20. Approximately 60 positives were identified. The cDNA insert of one positive clone, shown by PCR analysis (see above) to contain an insert of sufficient size to encompass the entire NIF Coding region (˜850 bp), was transferred to pGEM-9Zf(-) (Promega) as a SfiI-NotI fragment and its sequence determined. The sequence of the cDNA clone, designated AceNIF3, is shown in FIG. 19.

(B) Expression of a NIF Like Protein from A. ceylanicum in a Phage-Attached Form.

The A. ceylanicum AceNIF3 region coding for the mature protein was cloned onto a phage display vector according to the procedures described for NIF-1FL in Example 22.

The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the authentic A. ceylanicum NIF protein is not known; it is, therefore, difficult to unambiguously locate the secretion signal processing site on the deduced amino acid sequence (FIG. 19). The following oligonucleotide primers were chosen to PCR amplify the AceNIF3 coding region:

    YG16  SEQ. ID. NO. 37!:5'-     GTCGCAACTG-CGGCCCAGCC-GGCCATGGCC-GCTGACGAAC-CAACGTGCA     A-GCAG (54-mer; 5'-primer; the NcoI site and AceNIF3     N-terminus are underlined); and     YG15  SEQ. ID. NO. 38!: 5'-     GAGTTCTCGA-CTTGCGGCCG-CACCTCCGAT-AGGTGGATAA-CGGAGTGA

(48-mer; 3'-primer; the NotI site and AceNIF3 C-terminus are underlined).

Following NcoI/NotI digestion, the PCR product was gel-purified and cloned between the NcoI and NotI sites of the recipient vector. The resultant vector, designated pAN-AceNIF3, contains the intended in-frame fusion of the pelB, AceNIF3, and M13 gIII coding regions.

Phages displaying the AceNIF3 protein were obtained by infecting TG1(su⁺) bacteria harboring pAN-AceNIF3 with M13-VCS `helper`-phage (see procedures described in Example 22). The rescued phages, resuspended in PBS, were assayed by an ELISA on immobilized LM2/CD11b/CD18 complex (see FIG. 20). Phages displaying the A. caninum NIF-1FL isoform (Example 22) were used as positive control. Following a 30 minute incubation with varying amounts of Pichia produced recombinant NIF-1FL, 10¹⁰ virions displaying either recombinant NIF-1FL or recombinant AceNIF3 were added to the LM2/CD11b/CD18 coated wells. After a 90 minute incubation period, the amount of bound phages was detected with rabbit anti-phage serum and goat anti-rabbit alkaline phosphatase conjugate. Binding of phages to the immobilized receptor (see FIG. 20) clearly indicates that the AceNIF3 protein must be displayed in a functionally active form on the phage surface. The data given in Example 22, show that phage binding occurs only when they display the NIF protein, i.e. non-displaying control phages do not bind to the LM2 monoclonal antibody nor do they bind to the LM2/CD11b/CD18 complex. Displacement of both NIF-1FL- and AceNIF3-displaying phages by an increasing amount of soluble Pichia produced recombinant NIF-1FL demonstrate that both NIF proteins bind to the same site on the CD11b/CD18 receptor with a comparable affinity. Phage display of the AceNIF3 protein was also demonstrated by Western blot. After fractionation on an SDS-10% polyacrylamide gel, phage proteins were transferred onto ProBlott membrane (Applied Biosystems Inc.) and incubated consecutively with a rabbit anti-pgIII serum (GATC GmbH, Konstanz, Germany) and goat anti-rabbit alkaline phosphatase conjugate. Bands corresponding to the wild type phage pgIII protein and to the NIF-pgIII fusion product could be visualized.

(C) Construction of pYAM7SP-AceNIF3 and Expression in Pichia.

The segment of DNA encoding AceNIF3 was PCR amplified from a subclone of AceNIF3 in pGEM-9Zf(-) (see above) using unique primers for the 5'- and 3'-ends of the coding region. The 5'-end of the proteolytically processed AceNIF3 being not unambiguously defined, a hybrid 5'-end was created based on sequence homology between AcaNIF9 and AceNIF3: the three N-terminal codons of proteolytically maturated AcaNIF9 were used as 5'-end, followed by six codons originating from the AceNIF3 sequence. The resulting N-terminal amino acid hybrid sequence was: N-E-H-E-P-T-C-K-Q SEQ ID NO.39!, while the natural AcaNIF9 sequence was N-E-H-D-P-T-C-P-Q SEQ ID NO.40!, and the natural AceNIF3 sequence was K-G-D-E-P-T-C-K-Q SEQ ID NO.41!. The sequence of the 5'-primer used was 5'-AAC-GAA-CAC-GAA-CCA-ACG-TGC-AAG CAG SEQ ID NO.42!. The 3'-primer was composed of 8 codons at the 3'-end of the coding region, a TAA stop replacing the TGA stop of the natural gene, and three unique restriction endonuclease sites (SpeI, HindIII, and XbaI). The sequence of the 3'-primer used was 5'-CCT-CCT-CCT-TCT-AGA-AGC-TTA-CTA-GTT-TAG-ATA-GGT-GGA-T AA-CGG-AGT-GAC-G SEQ ID NO.43!.

Amplification was accomplished using 100 pmoles of each primer, 2 units of Vent polymerase in 1× Vent buffer (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.), and 0.2 mM of each of dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dTTP. One hundred nanograms of pGEM-9Zf(-) containing AceNIF3 were used as template DNA. The PCR conditions were the same for all twenty cycles: denaturation at 95° C. for 1 minute, primer annealing at 60° C. for 1 minute, and amplification for 1.5 minutes at 72° C. The amplification product was gel-purified and digested, with SpeI.

The amplification product was ligated into StuI-SpeI cleaved pHIL7SP8 using standard methods. The ligation mixture was used to transform E. coli WK6 selecting for ampicillin resistant clones. Based on restriction and DNA sequence analysis, a correct insert sequence in one of the resulting plasmid clones, pYAM7SP-AceNI3, was selected to transform the P. pastoris yeast strain GTS115(his4), as described in Example 12(B). Selection of His⁺ transformants and subsequent selection for AceNIF3 expression were performed as described in Example 12(B). The presence of AceNIF3 in Pichia cell supernatant was detected and quantified in a competitive binding assay with biotinylated NIF1 (Example 1).

Following methanol induction for 48 hours, Pichia cell supernatant was obtained by centrifugation. The crude supernatant was shown to inhibit the adhesion of human neutrophils to plastic.

EXAMPLE 23 Production by E. coli of Functionally Active NIF as Either a Bacteriophage-Attached Form or as `Free` Soluble Protein

(A) Cloning of NIF-1FL on a phase display vector.

A phagemid-vector was assembled in which the NIF-1FL region coding for the mature protein is fused at its N-terminus to the secretion signal sequence derived from the pelB gene and at its C-terminal end to the filamentous phage M13 gene III (gIII). This gene fusion was placed under the transcriptional control of the Plac promoter. Some of the pelB codons were replaced by synonymous triplets so that the secretion signal contains an NcoI restriction site. An extra Ala-codon was introduced between the pelB and NIF-1FL regions such that the junction matches more closely the prokaryotic prototype signal sequence processing site. The NIF-1FL and pgIII (product of gIII) encoding regions are separated by (i) a linker sequence in which a NotI site is embedded and (ii) a TAG (amber) triplet which serves as a translational stop codon in a su⁻ strain but is frequently read as a sense codon in su⁺ bacterial cells.

A schematic representation of the phagemid vector, designated pAN-NIF-1FL, is shown in FIG. 21. pAN-NIF-1FL was constructed by (i) PCR-amplification of the NIF-1FL coding region with primers that contain 5'-extensions whose sequence is such that (ii) the NcoI/NotI directional cloning of the gel-purified PCR fragment in the recipient vector results in the intended in frame fusion of the pelB, NIF-1FL, and gIII coding elements.

The NIF-1FL coding region was PCR-amplified making use of the following two oligonucleotide primers:

    LJO45  SEQ. ID. NO. 44!: 5'-     GTCGCAACTG-CGGCCCAGCC-GGCCATGGCC-GCTAATGAAC-ACAACCTGA     G-GTGC (54-mer; 5'-primer; The NcoI site and NIF-1FL     N-terminus are underlined)     LJO46  SEQ. ID. NO. 45!: 5'-     GAGTTCTCGA-CTTGCGGCCG-CAGGTGGTAA-CTCTCGGAAT-CGATAAAAC     T-C (51-mer; 3'-primer; the NotI site and NIF-1FL     C-terminus are underlined)

The NIF-1FL region and flanking sequences present in pAN-NIF-1FL were entirely sequenced to rule out the presence of unwanted mutations.

(B) Display of Functional NIF by Filamentous Phages.

In su⁺ bacteria such as TG1, the pAN-NIF-1FL phagemid-vector has the potential to code for a NIF-1FL-pgIII fusion protein. When the TG1 pAN-NIF-1FL! host cells are infected with a so-called `helper`-phage, this fusion protein can, during morphogenesis, become incorporated into filamentous virions (both `helper`-phages and pseudo-virions which encapsidate one specific strand of the phagemid). Phage particles were rescued with M13-VCS `helper`-phage (Stratagene) infection as follows. A 1 ml culture of TG1 pAN-NIF-1FL! grown at 37° C. in 2×TY (2×TY: Tryptone 16 g/L; Yeast extract 10 g/L; NaCl 5 g/L) containing 100 μg/ml carbenicillin (or ampicillin) and 1% glucose to a density of OD_(600nm) ˜0.5-0.6 is infected with M13-VCS at a multiplicity of infection of ˜20. The infected culture is incubated at 37° C. for 30 minutes without shaking and then for another 30 minutes with shaking. A 10 ml prewarmed 2×TY aliquot containing both carbenicillin (100 μg/ml) and kanamycin (50 μg/ml) is inoculated with the 1 ml infected culture. The mixture is incubated with shaking first for 60 minutes at 37° C. and then overnight at ˜30° C. After removal of the infected cells by centrifugation 1:5 volume 20% polyethyleen glycol/2.5M NaCl is added to the supernatant. Following a 60 minute incubation on ice, the precipitated phages are collected by centrifugation and resuspended in PBS (Na₂ HPO₄.2H₂ O 1.14 g/L; KH₂ PO₄ 0.2 g/L; NaCl 8.0 g/L; KCl 0.2 g/L; pH 7.3).

The rescued phages were shown to display functionally active NIF in several assays: (A) Western blot (After fractionation by SDS-10% PAGE, phage proteins were transferred onto ProBlott (Applied Biosystems Inc., Foster City, Calif.) membrane and incubated with rabbit anti-phage serum and goat anti-rabbit alkaline phosphatase conjugate. A band corresponding to the NIF-pgIII product could be visualized); (B) CD11b/CD18-ELISA (see FIG. 22) (NIF-phage were then assayed for binding to CD11b/CD18 (non-displaying phage were used as negative control). CD11b/CD18-coated wells were prepared either by direct immobilization using 0.25 μg/ml immunopurified CD11b/CD18 receptor (Diamond et al., 1990, J. Cell Biol., 111, 3129-3139), or by immuno-capture with monoclonal antibody LM2 (ATCC number: HB 204). Binding of phages was detected with rabbit anti-phage antiserum and goat anti-rabbit alkaline phosphatase conjugate. Binding of phages to the immobilized receptor was shown to occur only when they display the NIF protein. It was also shown that NIF-phage are not able to bind to the LM2 monoclonal antibody nor to the CD11b/CD18-coated wells after a pre-incubation with 1 mM Pichia-produced recombinant NIF-1FL for 30 minutes); (C) 3D2-ELISA (3D2 is a non-neutralizing mouse monoclonal antibody specific for NIF (see Example 26). In contrast to non-displaying control phages, NIF-phage were found to bind to 3D2-coated wells. NIF-phage binding could be eliminated by either blocking the 3D2-wells with 1 mM Pichia-produced recombinant NIF-1FL or blocking the NIF-phages with 1 mM 3D2 monoclonal antibody); and (D) Panning against CD11b/CD18 (pAN-NIF-1FL phage (10¹⁰ virions) were mixed with an equal amount of irrelevant non-displaying phage (fd-tet; 10¹⁰ virions), diluted in 100 μl Binding Buffer (PBS, 1 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgCl₂, 0.4% Tween-20 and 2% Skim-Milk) and incubated in a CD11b/CD18-coated microtiter-well. After incubation for 120 minutes, and washing with PBS containing 1 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgCl₂ and 0.4% Tween-20 ten times, bound phage were eluted during a 10 minute incubation with glycine-HCl pH 2.0. Following neutralization with 1M Tris-HCL pH 8.0, the number of tetracycline resistant (fd-tet) and ampicillin resistant (pAN-NIF-1FL) colony forming units was determined; pAN-NIF phage were 30-fold enriched over the non-displaying fd-tet phage).

The above experiments, e.g. functional display of NIF-1FL on filamentous phage and the specific enrichment of such NIF-phages by binding selection, show it is possible to use the phage technology for the identification of higher-affinity NIF variants (i.e., both naturally occuring isoforms or engineered mutants). Similar to what has been done in the immunoglobulin field, it should be possible to clone the vast majority of the A. caninum NIF protein repertoire on phage and then to select the highest affinity NIF isoform by subjecting the phage library to several consecutive binding selection cycles (panning) using the CD11b/CD18 receptor as target. Our sequence data show that the extent of conservation of the 5' and 3' termini of the region encoding mature NIF allows the design of (degenerate) oligonucleotide primers to rescue a substantial part of the NIF protein repertoire. For example, we generated PCR-amplification fragments of the expected length using a lambda DNA preparation of the pooled A. caninum cDNA library as target with the following oligonucleotide primer sets:

5'-primer targeting the N-terminus: an equimolar mixture of three primers that contain at their 3'-end the following matching sequences:

    AAT-GAA-CAC-AAC-CTG-ASG-TGC-3'  SEQ. ID. NO. 46!     AAT-GAA-CAC-GAC-CCA-ACG-TGT-3'  SEQ. ID. NO. 47!     AAT-GAA-CAC-AAA-CCG-ATR-TGC-3'  SEQ. ID. NO. 48!     where S = C or G and R = A or G; and

3'-primer targeting the C-terminus: an equimolar mixture of two primers that contain at their 3'-end the following matching sequences:

    TAA-CTC-TCG-GAA-TCG-ATA-AAA-3'  SEQ. ID. NO. 49!     TAA-CTC-TCG-AAA-CSG-ATA-AAA-3'  SEQ. ID. NO. 50!

where S=C or G.

The PCR primers contain 5'-extensions which incorporate restriction sites allowing the facile unidirectional cloning of the amplification product in an appropriate display vector.

(C) Secretion of Soluble and Functionally Active NIF.

The phagemid display vector containing the NIF gene, pAN-NIF-1FL, is suitable for the production of NIF-1FL in both a phage-attached form and as `free` soluble protein. In

su⁻ bacteria such as WK6, the pAN-NIF-1FL phagemid-vector has the potential to direct the synthesis of the NIF-1FL protein in a `free` (i.e., not phage-attached) form.

Overnight induction of the Plac promoter by addition of isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (1 mM final concentration) to a WK6 pAN-NIF-1FL! culture was found to result in the accumulation of CD11b/CD18-binding activity as shown by ELISA (on LM2/CD11b/CD18 plates; detection was done with HRP-conjugated monoclonal antibody 3D2). The recombinant NIF-1FL protein could be detected in both the supernatant of the induced culture and in a total cell lysate prepared by sonication of the induced cells followed by a clearing step. Comparison of the ELISA-signal with that generated by known amounts of Pichia-produced rNIF1 allowed us to estimate that the rNIF protein accumulates to about lmg per liter of E. coli culture. The rNIF protein was also immunopurified on a 3D2-Emphaze column (see Example 27) starting from a French-Press lysate of induced WK6 pAN-NIF-1FL! cells. Material eluted at low pH was still active as determined by the LM2/CD11b/CD18 ELISA. The E. coli rNIF protein was shown to migrate as a sharp band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel and could be detected by rabbit anti-Pichia-rNIF1 serum in immuno-blot analysis.

EXAMPLE 24 Alternative Purification Method for Pichia Produced NIF

Cell-free supernatant was filtered (0.2 μm) and submitted to a diafiltration on a polyethersulfone omega membrane (30 kDa cut-off; 0.75 ft² ; Filtron) with 10 volumes of 50 mM citric acid pH 3.5 containing 1 mM EDTA. After adjustment to pH 7.4 by adding 1M Tris-HCl, the solution was left on ice for at least one hour. Precipitated material was removed by filtration (0.2 μm). The cleared supernatant was submitted to a second dialfiltration (10 volumes 10 mM phosphate pH 7.4). Afterwards calcium chloride was added to a final concentration of 0.3 mM. The solution was applied on a MacroPrep (40 μm) Hydroxyapatite (Bio-Rad Laboratories) column equilibrated with 10 mM phosphate pH 7.4 and containing 0.3 mM CaCl₂. After washing with 5 column volumes of the equilibration buffer, the recombinant NIF protein was eluted with 90 mM phosphate pH 7.4. Fractions containing recombinant NIF were identified by binding assays on LM2/CD11b/CD18 plates and pooled. Subsequently, the protein present in the pooled fractions was further purified by reversed phase chromatography on a Poros R1/H (Perseptive Biosystems) column equilibrated with 10 mM ammonium formate pH 6.4 and 10% acetonitrile. Recombinant NIF was eluted by increasing the acetonitrile concentration. The fractions containing NIF were identified by gel-electrophoresis and were pooled. Acetonitrile present in this pool was removed in a rotavapor before freeze-drying. The dry protein was redissolved in PBS and applied on a Superdex 200 (Pharmacia) gel filtration column equilibrated in PBS. Fractions containing the NIF protein were pooled and concentrated by ultrafiltration on an omega membrane (10 kDa cut-off; Filtron). The recombinant NIF protein was stored at -80° C.

EXAMPLE 25 Expression of Functional Derivatives of NIF-1FL in Pichia pastoris

(A) pMa5-hNIF1 and pMc5-hNIF1 Expression Constructs.

The segment of DNA encoding NIF was PCR amplified from a subclone of NIF-1FL in BluescriptII (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) using unique primers for the 5'- and 3'-ends of the coding region.

The 5'-primer was composed of two restriction sites (EcoRI and HpaI) and the 23 first nucleotides of the region beginning at the 5'-end of proteolytically processed NIF and the succeeding 8 codons. The codon for the first residue of the mature NIF was altered from AAT to AAC (both codons translate to asparagine) and constitutes part of the HpaI restriction sites (GTT/AAC). The sequence of the 5'-primer used was 5'-CCG-GAA-TTC-GTT-AAC-GAA-CAC-AAC-CTG-AGG-TGC-CC SEQ ID NO.51!. The 3'-primer has been described in Example 12(B).

Amplification was accomplished using 100 pmol of each primer, 2 units of Vent polymerase in 1× Vent buffer (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.), and 0.2 mM of each of dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dTTP. One hundred nanograms of BluescriptII-containing NIF-1FL were used as template DNA. The PCR conditions were the same for all twenty cycles: denaturation at 95° C. for 1 minute, primer annealing at 60° C. for 1 minute, and amplification for 1.5 minutes at 72° C. The amplification product was gel-purified and digested with EcoRI and HindIII.

The amplification product was then ligated into EcoRI-HindIII cleaved pMa5-8 and pMc5-8 respectively Stanssens et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 17: 4441-4454 (1989)!, using standard methods. The ligation mixtures were used to transform competent E. coli WK6 (Zell et al., (1987) EMBO J., 6: 1809-1815). Cells resistant to ampicillin and chloramphenicol, respectively, were selected and obtained on appropriate plates. Based on restriction and DNA sequence analysis, a correct insert sequence in each of the resulting plasmid clones, pMa5-hNIF1 and pMc5-hNIF1, were selected.

(B) Construction of pMa5-hNIF1/ΔGl1-5.

The NIF-1FL protein contains seven potential N (Asparagine)-glycosylation sites (consensus N-X-T/S amino acid sequence).

pMa5-hNIF1/ΔGl1-5 is a derivative of pMa5-hNIF1 (see above) in which five potential N-glycosylation sites of NIF-1FL have been modified by substituting glutamine residues for each of the asparagine residues in the corresponding consensus sequences. These residues are Asn¹⁰, Asn¹⁸, Asn⁸⁷, Asn¹¹⁰, and Asn¹³⁰, where the number in superscript corresponds to the amino acid residue number of NIF-1FL (see FIG. 8).

Stepwise site-directed mutagenesis was performed following the methodology described in Stanssens et al., (1989), Nucl. Acids Res. 17: 4441-4454, and using the following oligonucleotides:

    (I)   ΔG11  SEQ. ID. NO. 52!:           dCCGGGCATTTCGGTACCTTGCTGCGGGCACCTC,     (II)  ΔG12  SEQ. ID. NO. 53!:           dCCTAATCGAGTCTTGGAACCCGGGCATTTCTGTTCC,     (III) ΔG13  SEQ. ID. NO. 54!:           dAACTGTCCGAGCATTGTCGTGCACTCATGTAGGCGCTTTTTTC,     (IV)  ΔG14  SEQ. ID. NO. 55!:           dCAGAGCTTCAGAGATCTGGTTTGAGTTTTCG, and     (V)   ΔG15  SEQ. ID. NO. 56!:     dCTCCTTCTTTTGTTTTCTGCAGGTTGAAAGCCTC.

In the first mutagenesis round, the oligonucleotides I, IV and V were annealed together to the single strand DNA (ssDNA) template pMa5-hNIF1 to modify the corresponding glycosylation sites Gl1, Gl4 and Gl5. A resulting plasmid clone having the three intended sites altered was then used to prepare ssDNA template for the next mutagenesis round in order to modify the Gl2 and Gl3 remaining sites using the appropriate oligonucleotides (II and III).

(C) Construction of pMa5-NIF-1FL/Δh,Gl6-7.

The strategy outlined in (B) above was performed in parallel to construct another NIF-1FL derivative, pMa5-NIF-1FL/ΔhGl6-7, in which the potential N-glycosylation sites Gl6, and Gl7 of NIF-1FL have been modified by substituting glutamine residues for each of the asparagine residues in the corresponding consensus sequences. These residues are Asn¹⁹⁷, and Asn²²³. In addition, the HpaI restriction site (GTTAAC) present in the NIF-1FL coding sequence was removed by introducing a silent mutation at the appropriate position: the AAC codon for Asn¹⁶⁶ was replaced by a AAT codon.

Stepwise site-directed mutagenesis was performed following the methodology described in Stanssens et al., (1989), Nucl. Acids Res. 17: 4441-4454, and using the following oligonucleotides:

    (VI)   ΔG16  SEQ. ID. NO. 57!:            dCGGCTGTCCTTCAGTTTTCTGTATTTTCGGGTAGTGGC,     (VII)  ΔG17  SEQ. ID. NO. 58!:            dGGATCCGCAGACGTCGTTTGGTCTGCTTTTTTTG, and     (VIII) Δh    SEQ. ID. NO. 59!:            dCTCCCAAAGGGCAATTAACAACTGCGC.

In the first mutagenesis round, the oligonucleotides VII and VIII were annealed together to the ssDNA template to modify the glycosylation site Gl7 and to remove the HpaI restriction site. A resulting plasmid clone harbouring the two intended sites altered was then used to prepare ssDNA template for the next mutagenesis round in order to modify the Gl6 remaining site using the appropriate oligonucleotide (VI).

(D) Construction of pMa5-hNIF1/Δh,Gl1-7.

The NIF-1FL derivative hNIF1/Δh,Gl1-7 was constructed using standard methods by combining appropriate fragments prepared from the vectors pMa5-hNIF1/ΔGl1-5 (prepared as in (B) above) and pMa5-NIF-1FL/Δh,Gl6-7 (prepared as in (C) above). The 361 bp AgeI-HindIII fragment prepared from the vector pMa5-NIF-1FL/Δh,Gl6-7, and containing the three substitutions described in (C) above, was cloned into the large AgeI-HindIII vector fragment prepared from the vector pMa5-hNIF1/ΔGl1-5, replacing the corresponding 361 bp AgeI-HindIII wild type NIF-1FL fragment of this vector.

The presence of the seven Asn/Gln substitutions as well as of the modified HpaI restriction site (Asn¹⁶⁶ codon modification) in the resulting plasmid, pMa-5-hNIF1/Δh, Gl1-7, was confirmed by sequencing analysis of the complete NIF insert. A one base pair deletion in the NIF sequence (a missing G nucleotide in the Gly²⁰¹ GGA codon) revealed by this sequence analysis was corrected by site directed mutagenesis using the oligonucleotide dGTAAATCGGCTGTCCTTCAGTTTTCTG SEQ ID NO.60!.

(E) Construction of pYAM7SP-hNIF1/ΔGl1-5 and Expression in Pichia pastoris.

The segment of DNA encoding hNIF1/ΔGl1-5 was PCR-amplified from a subclone of pMa5-hNIF1/ΔGl1-5 following the methodology described in Example 12 (B) and using the same set of primers. After purification, the amplification product was digested with SpeI and ligated into StuI-SpeI cleaved pHIL7SP8 using standard methods. The ligation mixture was used to transform E. coli WK6, and ampicillin resistant clones were obtained on ampicillin plates. Based on restriction and DNA sequence analysis, a correct insert sequence in one of the resulting plasmid clones, pYAM7SP-hNIF1/ΔGl1-5, was selected to transform the P. pastoris yeast strain GTS115(his4), as described in Example 12(B). Selection of His+ transformants and subsequent selection for NIF-1FL/ΔGl1-5 expression were performed as described in Example 12(B). The presence of NIF-1FL/ΔGl1-5 in Pichia cell supernatant was detected and quantified using the LM2/CD11b/CD18 based ELISA with 3D2-HRP detection (see Example 1).

(F) Construction of pYAM7SP-hNIF1/Δh,Gl1-7 and expression in Pichia pastoris.

The HpaI-SpeI fragment of DNA encoding hNIF1/Δh,Gl1-7 was prepared from the vector pMa5-hNIF1/Δh,Gl1-7 and ligated into StuI-SpeI cleaved pHIL7SP8 using standard methods. The ligation mixture was used to transform E. coli WK6, and ampicillin resistant clones were obtained on ampicillin plates. Based on restriction and DNA sequence analysis, a correct insert sequence in one of the resulting plasmid clones, pYAM7SP-hNIF1/Δh,Gl1-7, was selected to transform the P. pastoris yeast strain GTS115(his4), as described in Example 12(B). Selection of His+ transformants and subsequent selection for NIF-1FL/Δh,Gl1-7 expression were performed as described in Example 12(B). The presence of NIF-1FL/Δh,Gl1-7 in Pichia cell supernatant was detected and quantified using the LM2/CD11b/CD18 based ELISA with 3D2-HRP detection (see Example 1).

(G) Purification and Characterization of Recombinant NIF-1FL/ΔGl1-5 and Recombinant NIF-1FL/Δh,Gl1-7.

Following methanol induction for 48 hours, Pichia cell supernatants were obtained by centrifugation for 15 minutes at 1,800×g.

Recombinant NIF-1FL/ΔGl1-5 was purified exactly as described in Example 23. The recombinant NIF-1FL mutant was found to migrate with an apparent molecular weight of 36-50 kDa on SDS-PAGE (4-20% gradient gel; Novex) under non-reducing conditions. The band is more discrete and has a significantly higher mobility than wild type NIF-1FL produced in Pichia. Recombinant NIF-1FL/Δh,Gl1-7 was purified by hydroxapatite and reverse-phase chromatography (see Example 23; the gelfiltration step on Superdex was omitted). Under non-reducing conditions, the purified protein was found to migrate as a single band on SDS-PAGE (4-20% gradient gel; Novex), with an apparent molecular weight of about 30 kDa. The observed higher mobility and apparent lesser heterogeneity of NIF-1FL/ΔGl1-5 and NIF-1FL/Δh,Gl1-7 compared to NIF-1FL is likely due to the relatively decreased extent of glycosylation of these mutants compared to the wild-type proein.

Both mutants were evaluated in the plastic adhesion assay (see FIG. 23). The results indicate that elimination of part or all of the seven potential N-glycosylation sites does not affect the potency of the NIF-1FL molecule as measured in this in vitro assay.

EXAMPLE 26 Preparation of Monoclonal Antibodies to NIF

Hybridomas producing MAbs that bind to NIF were prepared from mice immunized with Pichia-produced recombinant NIF-1FL by previously described methods (H. R. Soule, E. Linder, T. S. Edgington, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:1332 (1983); G. Kohler and C. Milstein, Nature (London) 256:495 (1975)).

Female balb-c mice between the ages of 8 to 15 weeks were inoculated subcutaneously with 10 μg of recombinant NIF (from Example 12) in Complete Freund's Adjuvant, then 3 weeks later were inoculated subcutaneously with 10 μg of the recombinant NIF in Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant, then 2 weeks later were inoculated interperitoneally with 10 μg of the recombinant NIF in 4 mg of alum, then three to four weeks later and also 4 days prior fusion were interperitoneally innoculated with 10 μg of the recombinant NIF in saline. Mice producing polyclonal antibody to recombinant NIF were determined by immunoassay of their serum using ¹²⁵ I labeled recombinant NIF and immobilized goat anti-mouse IgG. Mice having a titer between 1:25,000 to 1:50,000 were selected. Spleen cells were isolated from the mice and were fused with tumor cells in a 5:1 ratio of spleen cells to tumor cells. Hybridoma cells expressing monoclonal antibody binding to NIF were selected by the same immunoassy. Monoclonal antibody was expressed from the selected hybridoma cells by inoculation interperitoneally of 5×10⁶ hybridoma cells into pristane-primed female balb-c mice.

One monoclonal antibody designated 3D2 was shown to bind both hookworm-derived NIF and Pichia-produced recombinant NIF-1FL by antigen capture assay (E. Harlow and D. P. Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1988), pp. 192-193).

EXAMPLE 27 Coupling of 3D2 Murine Monoclonal Antibody to 3M Emphaze Biosupport Medium

(A) Single Step Method.

Twenty eight milligrams of 3D2 antibody was concentrated to 0.5 ml and 4.5 ml of 0.6M sodium carbonate, 0.1M sodium citrate, pH 9.0 was added. Three hundred fifteen milligrams of dry Emphaze Biosupport Medium (3M, St. Paul, Minn.) was added to the antibody solution, and mixed end-over-end for one hour. The Emphaze slurry was collected over a plastic frit, draining the remaining antibody solution. The resin was washed with 20 ml of 10 mM sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, pH 7.3. The collected resin was then mixed end-over-end with 3.0M ethanolamine, pH 9.0 for 2.5 hours. The resin was again collected on a frit, and washed with 10 mM sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, pH 7.3 until the solution flowing through the frit was pH 7.3. The resin was stored in 10 mM sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, 0.05% sodium azide, pH 7.3, until use. Two millilters of 3D2/Emphaze resin coupled using this procedure was found to bind 1.4 mg of purified NIF protein.

(B) Two Step Method.

Thirty milligrams of 3D2 antibody was dialyzed into 0.5M Tris-HCl, pH 4.0, concentrated to a volume of 5.0 ml (6 mg/ml), and chilled to 4° C. Three hundred fifteen milligrams of Emphaze Biosupport Medium was added to the antibody solution and mixed end-over-end for 10 minutes at 4° C. Sodium sulfate was added to a concentration of 0.8M (563 mg) and the Emphaze slurry was mixed end-over-end for an additional 10 minutes at 4° C. The pH was raised to 9.0 by dropwise addition of 1M NaOH. The coupling reaction was allowed to proceed for 60 minutes at 4° C. with end-over-end mixing. The Emphaze slurry was collected over a plastic frit, and remaining antibody solution-was drained. The resin was washed with 20 ml of 10 mM sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, pH 7.3. The reaction was quenched by the addition of 6 ml of 1.0M ethanolamine, pH 9.3, and the resin in ethanolamine was mixed end-over-end for 2.5 hours at 4° C. The resin was again collected over a frit, and washed with 0.2M sodium phosphate, 0.5M sodium chloride, pH 7.3 until the solution flowing through the frit was pH 7.3. The resin was suspended in 0.01M sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, 0.05% (w/v) sodium azide, pH 7.3, until use. A 2 ml 3D2/Emphaze column coupled using this method typically bound 1.5 mg of purified NIF protein.

(C) Scale-Up of Coupling Reactions.

Twenty milliliters of resin has been made using both coupling methods by simply scaling up all volumes and amounts 10 fold. Both methods yielded resin capable of binding NIF protein. A 20 ml portion of 3D2/Emphaze resin coupled by the Two Step Method bound 10 fold more NIF protein than did 2 ml columns (15-19 mg versus 1.5 mg), whereas 20 ml of 3D2/Emphaze resin coupled using the Single Step Method did not scale linearly (typically 5-8 mg NIF protein bound). Thus, the Two Step Coupling Method was used for larger couplings.

A 150 ml Two Step coupling was performed in which 2.25 g of 3D2 antibody in 450 ml of 0.5M Tris-HCl, pH 4.0 at 4° C. was mixed with 19 g of Emphaze Biosupport Medium in a 1000 ml microcarrier spinner flask (Bellco Glass Inc., Vineland, N.J.) for 10 minutes at 4° C. Forty two grams of sodium sulfate was added to the Emphaze slurry and this was stirred for an additional 10 minutes at 4° C. The pH was raised to 9.0 by dropwise addition of 1M NaOH through the arms of the spinner flask. The reaction was allowed to proceed for 60 minutes at 4° C. with stirring. The Emphaze slurry was collected over a 90 mm, 0.45 micron filter (Corning Glass Works, Corning, N.Y.), and remaining antibody solution was drained. The resin was washed with 1 liter of 0.01M sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, pH 7.3. The reaction was quenched by the addition of 500 ml of 1.0M ethanolamine, pH 9.3 to the resin. The quenching reaction was allowed to continue 2.5 hours at 4° C. with stirring. The resin was again collected over a 90 mm, 0.45 micron cellulose acetate filter, and washed with 0.2M sodium phosphate, 0.5M sodium chloride, pH 7.3 until the solution flowing through the filter was pH 7.3. The resin was suspended in 0.01M sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, 0.05% sodium azide, pH 7.3, until use. A 2 ml portion of resin from this coupling bound 1.5 mg of NIF protein, the same amount of NIF protein bound by resin coupled in a 2 ml reaction.

EXAMPLE 28 Purification of Recombinant NIF Protein Using 3D2/Emphaze Immunoaffinity Chromatography Column

Cell supernatant containing recombinant NIF protein was filtered through a Sartobran PH 0.07 micron dead-end filter (Sartorius North America, Bohemia, N.Y.), and then concentrated 10-50 fold by tangential flow filtration using a Mini Crossflow System containing 10 kDa Minisart polysulfone membrane modules (Sartorius). The concentrate was then diafiltered against five volumes of 0.01M sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, pH 7.3 in the Mini Crossflow apparatus. Immediately before application to the 3D2/Emphaze column, the concentrate was filtered through a 90 mm, 0.22 micron cellulose acetate filter (Corning). Approximately 150 mg of NIF protein was applied to a 400 ml 3D2/Emphaze column at 20 ml/min. The concentrate was washed from the column with 400 ml of 0.1M sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, pH 7.3 at 20 ml/min. The column flowthrough was collected and retained. The column was then washed with 400 ml of 1M NaCl and the wash was discarded. The recombinant NIF protein bound to the column was eluted by applying 800 ml of 0.1M glycine, pH 2.5. After elution, the purified NIF protein from the column was brought to neutral pH by the dropwise addition of 1M Tris base. The column was then re-equilibrated to loading conditions by passing 800 ml of 0.1M sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride, pH 7.3, through it until the pH of solution exiting the column was pH 7.3.

When approximately 1 g of NIF protein had been purified by the 3D2/Emphaze column, the protein was pooled and then concentrated using an Easyflow 20 kDA polysulfone concentration apparatus (Sartorius). The concentrated protein was then applied at a flow rate of 10 ml/min. to a 60 cm×600 cm Superdex 200 prep gel filtration column (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) equilibrated in 0.01M sodium phosphate, 0.15M sodium chloride; pH 7.3. The only peak observed during elution (870-1050 ml) corresponds to NIF protein.

EXAMPLE 29 Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor is an Inhibitor of Eosinophil Adhesion to Vascular Endothelial Cells

NIF was assayed for effect on adhesion of human eosinophils to cytokine-stimulated endothelial cells. Eosinophils were isolated from normal individuals as described by Moser et al (1992a) J. Immunol. 149:1432-1438!. Isolated eosinophils were cultured in the presence of 10 pM GM-CSF and 10 pM IL-3 for 24 hours following the procedure of Moser et al (1992a). Endothelial cells were harvested from umbilical cord veins, seeded in tissue culture flasks and transferred to 24-well plates as described by Moser et al (1992a). The adhesion assay was carried out following the procedure described by Moser et al (1992a). Briefly, human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers were washed with Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) and preincubated with 500 μl of TNFα at a final concentration of 10 ng/ml for 4 hours at 37° C. Immediately before use in adhesion assays, HUVEC monolayers were washed. Next, 2.5×10⁵ eosinophils in 500 μl of HBSS containing 5 mg/ml of purified human albumin were layered onto the washed HUVEC monolayers. After incubation for 30 minutes at 37° C. and saturated humidity/5% CO2, the 24-well plate was submerged three times in a bath of 300 ml PBS to remove loosely adherent eosinophils. Plates were dried at 4° C. and the number of adherent neutrophils was quantitated by measuring peroxidase activity, as described in Moser et al, 1992b Blood 79:2937!.

Recombinant NIF (rNIF) inhibited adhesion of GM-CSF/IL-3 primed human neutrophils to TNF-activated HUVEC monolayers, to a maximum of approximately 63% inhibition at 100 nM rNIF. About 50% inhibition of adhesion was obtained in the presence of approximately 10 nM rNIF (see FIG. 13).

EXAMPLE 30 Binding of NIF to Leukocytes

The interaction of NIF with leukocytes was assessed by flow cytometry using biotinylated recombinant NIF. Biotinylated rNIF was prepared as described above for derivatization of NIF purified from hookworm homogenates with the exception that the rNIF was derivatized at a final biotin-LC-hydrazide concentration of 0.14 mM. A buffy coat preparation of human leukocytes, suspended in 2% newborn calf serum, 1% NaN₃ (PBS-NCS), was incubated with biotinylated rNIF (0.6 μg/ml ) for 5 minutes at room temperature. Red blood cells were lysed by addition of 3 ml 150 mM NH₄ Cl, 1% NaN₃ for 5 minutes at room temperature. The cells were washed twice in 1 ml PBS-NCS and resuspended in 50 μl wash buffer (5% newborn calf serum, 0.1% NaN₃ in PBS) containing 0.25 μg/ml streptavidin-phycoerythrin (Pharmingen). After 15 minutes at 4° C. the cells were washed and resuspended in 0.5 ml wash buffer. Flow cytometry was performed with a FACScan° instrument (Becton Dickinson) using Lysys II° software (Becton Dickinson). Leukocyte populations were electronically gated using cytograms of forward versus right angle light scatter. Background binding was determined using biotinylated BSA (Pierce).

The binding of biotinylated rNIF to lymphocytes (FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24G), moncytes (FIGS. 24B, 24E and 24H) and granulocytes (FIGS. 24C, 24F and 24I) was analyzed by flow cytometry. (See FIGS. 24A to 24I). Cell types were electronically gated by using cytograms of forward versus right angle light scatter. FIGS. 24A to 24C illustrate negative control reactions using biotinylated BSA, FIGS. 24D to 24F show reactivity with biotinylated rNIF and panels FIGS. 24G to 24I show reactivity with biotinylated rNIF in the presence of a 50-fold molar excess of underivatized rNIF. All reactions were developed with streptavidin-phycoerythrin. Cell number is given on the ordinate and fluorescence instensity on the abscissa.

Greater than 95% of the gated granulocytes and monocytes were found to bind biotinylated rNIF relative to the BSA-biotin control (FIGS. 24B, 24C, 24E, 24F, 24H and 24I). In contrast, rNIF associated with a discrete minor population of peripheral blood lymphocytes (FIGS. 24A, 24D and 24G). Cellular binding of NIF was specific because coincubation of biotinylated rNIF and a 50-fold molar excess of non-derivatized rNIF abolished the reaction with all three leukocyte cell populations (FIGS. 24A to 24I). These data demonstrate that in each of these leukocyte populations there exist cells that specifically bind NIF.

EXAMPLE 31 Direct Concordance of NIF binding and CD11b/CD18 Expression

Dual reaction flow cytometry experiments were done to investigate CD11b/CD18 expression of the lymphocyte population that bound NIF, using a monoclonal antibody to CD11b/CD18 (LM2; ATCC# HB204). Leukocyte staining with biotinylated rNIF was done as described in Example 30. In these experiments LM2 (1 μg/ml) was incubated with the whole leukocyte preparation in addition to biotinylated rNIF. After red blood cell lysis and washing, leukocytes were reacted with FITC-conjugated goat (Fab')₂ anti-mouse IgG (Caltag) at 35 μg/ml in addition to streptavidin-phycoerythrin.

Direct concordance of NIF binding and CD11b/CD18 expression was deomnstrated by dual fluorescence analysis by flow cytometry of peripheral blood lymphocyte populations (electronically gated by using cytograms of forward versus right angle light scatter) for rNIF binding versus binding of anti-CD11b/CD18 monoclonal antibody LM2. All cells reactive with rNIF were positive for CD11b/CD18. (See FIG. 25).

These experiments demonstrated a direct concordance between lymphocytes that bound NIF and those that expressed CD11b/CD18 (FIG. 25). These results provide strong evidence that the integrin CD11b/CD18 is a binding site for NIF on leukocytes.

EXAMPLE 32 NIF Binds the I-domain Portion of the CD11b Polypeptide

The I-domain (=A domain) portion of the CD11b/CD18 integrin comprises a segment of the CD11b polypeptide which is approximately bounded by the residues Cys¹²⁸ and Glycine³²¹ (Michishita, M., Videm, V., and Arnaout, M. A. (1993) Cell 72,857-867). To demonstrate direct interaction between NIF and the I-domain peptide, we expressed the I-domain peptide as a recombinant soluble fusion peptide in E. coli cells. The fusion is a 8 amino acid tag peptide termed FLAG°. The PCR primers used to clone I-domain were based on amino acid sequences of the CD11b polypeptide (Gly¹¹¹ -Ala³¹⁸). The primer sequences were 5'-CCA-AAG-CTT-GGA-TCC-AAC-CTA-CGG-CAG-CAG-CC-3' SEQ ID NO.61! (primer 1), and 5'-CCA-TCT-AGA-CGC-AAA-GAT-CTT-CTC-CCG-AAG-CT-3' SEQ ID NO.62! (primer 2). Primer 1 contains an additional 5'-HindIII restricion endonuclease site, and primer 2 contains an additional 3'-XbaI site. The primers were used pairwise with random-primed single-stranded cDNA (cDNA Synthesis Plus, Amersham) synthesized from human monocyte total RNA (see Example 10 for protocols). The starting material was ˜0.5 g human monocytes. PCR conditions were: denaturation at 95° C. for 30 seconds, annealing at 45° C. for 30 seconds, elongation at 72° C. for 2 minutes, for 30 cycles. All PCR reagents were from Perkin-Elmer. PCR amplification produced a fragment containing a ˜615 base pair I-domain coding region with appropriate 5'-and 3'-restriction sites. The HindIII/XbaI-digested fragment was ligated into the HindIII/XbaI-cleaved plasmid vector pFLAG-1™ (International Biotechnologies, Inc). The construct was used to transform Epicurean Coli SURE° competent cells (Stratagene), which were plated on LB media agar plates containing 100 μg/ml ampicillin and 0.4% glucose for selection. Three milliter overnight cultures inoculated with transformed colonies were grown at 37° C. in LB+100 μg/ml ampicillin. Isolation of plasmid DNA from the overnight cultures was performed with a Magic Miniprep kit (Promega), and isolated plasmid DNA was restricted with HindIII and XbaI. Digestion products of ˜615 and ˜5370 bp were observed, indicating the presence of the CD11b I-domain-encoding insert in the expression vector. This expression plasmid was termed PM1. Five hundred milliters of LB+100 μg/ml ampicillin was inoculated with 5 ml of an overnight culture of E. coli transformed with the plasmid PM1. The 500 ml culture was grown at 37° C. to an OD₆₀₀ of 0.400 (˜120 minutes), induced with 1.7 mM isopropyl b-D-thiogalactopyranoside (Sigma), and grown for two additional hours at 37° C. Cells were harvested by centrifugation at 5,000 g for 5 minutes, 25° C. The cells were then resuspended in 50 ml of an extraction buffer-1 (50 mM Tris, pH 8.0, 5 mM EDTA, 0.25 mg/ml lysozyme, and 50 μg/ml NaN₃), and allowed to incubate for 5 minutes at 25° C. To this preparation was added 5 ml of extraction buffer-2 (1.5M NaCl, 100 mM CaCl₂, 100 mM MgCl₂, 0.02 mg/ml DNase 1, and 50 μg/ml ovomucoid protease inhibitor), and this suspension was allowed to incubate for 5 minutes at 25° C. Cells were further lysed by sonication for 4 cycles of 30 seconds at 70 W on a Branson Sonic power sonifier. Insoluble cellular debris was separated by centrifugation at 25,000 g for 60 minutes at 4° C. The cell lysate containing CD11b I-domain fusion peptide was stored at -70° C.

Monoclonal antibody/CD11b I-domain fusion protein complexes were formed by incubating the cell lysate prepared as described above with a monoclonal antibody that recognized the FLAG peptide of the CD11b I-domain fusion protein (anti-FLAG M1; International Biotechnologies, Inc.). These complexes were incubated with ¹²⁵ I-rNIF and precipitated with protein A-sepharose (Calbiochem). One microgram of M1 monoclonal antibody. was incubated with 390 μl of the cell lysate that contained CD11b I-domain fusion peptide, in the presence of 10⁵ cpm ¹²⁵ I-rNIF (specific activity 47.5 μCi/μg; see Example 14(B)). The total reaction volume was 400 μl, and the reaction proceeded for 18 hours at 4° C. Immune complexes were precipitated with 100 μl protein A-Sepharose (Pharmacia). The protein A-Sepharose was prepared as a 1:1 slurry in TACTS 20 buffer and preblocked with 0.5% BSA. After precipitation, Sepharose beads were washed three times with TACTS 20 buffer, and immune complexes were released by the addition of Tris-glycine sample buffer (Novex) under reducing conditions (100 mM dithiothreitol). Precipitated, labeled proteins were resolved by 4-20% gradient SDS-PAGE (Novex) and visualized by autoradiography.

The ¹²⁵ I-rNIF was precipitated by M1 monoclonal antibody in the presence of cell lysate that contained recombinant I-domain peptide. In contrast, ¹²⁵ I-rNIF was not precipitated in the absence of this cell lysate or when the M1 monoclonal antibody was substituted with a monoclonal antibody that did not react with the the FLAG portion of the fusion protein (anti-gpIIbIIIa). Moreover, M1 did not precipitate ¹²⁵ I-rNIF in the presence of another fusion protein comprising FLAG and bacterial alkaline phosphatase (pFLAG-BAP; International Biotechnologies, Inc.). These data demonstrate direct and specific interaction between NIF and the I-domain peptide of CD11b/CD18.

    __________________________________________________________________________     #             SEQUENCE LISTING     - (1) GENERAL INFORMATION:     -    (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES:     104     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    1:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #           22 AMINO ACIDS     #             AMINO ACID     #          LINEAROLOGY:     #      PEPTIDEECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #location 2 is Leu or Arg; Xaa in location 3     #Lys or Arg; Xaa in location 6 is Ala or     #in location 7 is Leu or Met; Xaa in     #14 is Lys, Arg, Leu or Ile; Xaa in     #20 is Val or Ile; and Xaa in location 21     #Gly or Asn.   is Ser,     #1:   (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Arg Xaa Xaa Phe Leu Xaa Xaa His Asn Gly Ty - #r Arg Ser Xaa Leu     #                15     - Ala Leu Gly His Xaa Xaa Ile                     20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    2:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            24 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #iscation 2 is His or Pro; Xaa in location 3     #XaaSer; Xaa in location 6 is Arg or Lys;                    in locati - #on 9 is Ile or Tyr; Xaa in location 11 is - #     Asp,     #inu; Xaa in location 15 is Asp or Glu; Xaa     #22 is Gly, Lys or Arg; and Xaa in location     #Met, Thr or Val. Glu,     #2:   (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Ala Xaa Xaa Ala Ser Xaa Met Arg Xaa Leu Xa - #a Tyr Asp Cys Xaa     #                15     - Ala Glu Xaa Ser Ala Tyr Xaa Ser Ala                     20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    3:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            21 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:                    Wherein X - #aa in location 2 is Asn or Asp; Xaa in     #6 is Val or Leu; Xaa in location 10 is Al - #a or     #in location 14 is Leu, Val or Phe; and Xaa     #20 is Thr, Lys or Asn.     #3:   (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Ser Xaa Phe Ala Asn Xaa Ala Trp Asp Xaa Ar - #g Glu Lys Xaa Gly     #                15     - Cys Ala Val Val Xaa Cys                     20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    4:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            9 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:                    Wherein X - #aa in location 6 is Tyr or Ile; and Xaa i -     #n     #7 is Gly or no residue.     #4:   (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - His Val Val Cys His Xaa Xaa Pro Lys      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    5:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            14 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #Xaa           Wherein X - #aa in location 3 is Thr, Ser, Lys or Glu;     #6 is          in locati - #on 4 is Thr, Val or Ile; Xaa in location     #Asp;hr; Xaa in location 9 is Arg, Ser or     #location 10 is Asn, Gly, Asp or Arg; Xaa in     #13 is Asn, Ser or Thr; and Xaa in location     #Glu or Asp.   is Gly,     #5:   (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Ile Tyr Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa Pro Cys Xaa Xaa Cy - #s Xaa Xaa Tyr     #                10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    6:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            10 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #in            Wherein X - #aa in location 2 is His, Ile or Asn; Xaa     #3 is Ala, Pro or Asp; Xaa in location 5 i - #s                    Glu, Val, - # Asp or Ile; Xaa in location 9 is Ile, Va -     #l or                    Phe.     #6:   (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Cys Xaa Xaa Asp Xaa Gly Val Cys Xaa Ile     #                10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    7:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            28ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #A, T or G, A, T or C; "H" is N:                    C; "Y"- # is C or T.     #7:   (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #             28   HYTN GGHTGGGC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    8:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            29ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     # "Y" is C or T; "R" is G or A - #.     #8:   (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #            29    GRAA RCGRTCRAA     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    9:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            8 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #9:   (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Leu Ala Ile Leu Gly Trp Ala Arg      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    10:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            8 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #10:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Leu Phe Asp Arg Phe Pro Glu Lys      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    11:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            33ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #11:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #         33       AGGC CTATCTTGTG GTC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    12:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            28ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #12:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #             28   CGTT GCCTTGGC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    13:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            24ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #13:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #                24GGTG CCCG     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    14:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            54ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #14:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #              50TAAGCT TACTAGTTTA TAACTCTCGG AATCGATAAA     #             54     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    15:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            45 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #20cations 7, 10 and 18 refers to any of the     #occurring amino acids, since no specific                    amino aci - #d was identified during Edman degradation of                    the pepti - #de.     #15:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asn Glu His Asn Leu Arg Xaa Pro Gln Xaa Gl - #y Thr Glu Met Pro     #                15     - Gly Phe Xaa Asp Ser Ile Arg Leu Gln Phe Le - #u Ala Met His Asn     #                30     - Gly Tyr Arg Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu Gly His Il - #e Ser Ile Thr Glu     #                45     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    16:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            54ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #16:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #              50TAAGCT TACTAGTTTA TAACTCTCGG AATCGATAAA     #             54     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    17:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            24ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #17:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #                24GGTG CCCG     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    18:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            24ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #18:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #                24TGGT CTTA     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    19:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            8 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #19:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Met Glu Ala Tyr Leu Val Val Leu      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    20:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            27ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #20:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #             27   CGAT AAAACTC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    21:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            8 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #         SINGLERANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #21:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Glu Phe Tyr Arg Phe Arg Glu Leu      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    22:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            36ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #         SINGLERANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #22:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #       36         CGAG ACTTGCGCTA GGTCAC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    23:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            12 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #23:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - His Asn Gly Tyr Arg Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu Gl - #y His     #                10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    24:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            25ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #24:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #               25 GACT ACATG     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    25:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            9 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #25:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - His Val Val Cys His Tyr Pro Lys Ile      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    26:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            25ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #26:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #               25 TTTT TTTTT     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    27:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            23ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #27:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #                23CGTG CCC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    28:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            25ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #28:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #               25 TGTG CCAGC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    29:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            24ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #29:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #                24TGTG CGAG     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    30:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            23ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #30:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #                23CGTG TCC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    31:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            54ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #31:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #              50TAAGCT TACTAGTTTA AAATCGATAA AACTCCTTGC     #             54     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    32:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            54ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #32:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #              50TAAGCT TACTAGTTTA TAACTCTCGG AATCGATAAA     #             54     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    33:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            54ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #33:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #              50TAAGCT TACTAGTTTA TAACTCTCGG AATCGATAAA     #             54     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    34:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            54ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #34:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #              50TAAGCT TACTAGTTTA TAGCTCTCGA AACGGATAAA     #             54     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    35:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            10 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #locations 4 and 7 refers to any of the 20     #occurring amino acids, since no specific                    amino aci - #d was identified during Edman degradation of                    the pepti - #de.     #35:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asn Glu His Xaa Leu Thr Xaa Pro Gln Asn     #                10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    36:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            15 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #locations 7 and 10 refers to any of the 20     #occurring amino acids, since no specific amino     #identified during Edman degradation of the                    peptide.     #36:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asn Glu His Lys Pro Met Xaa Gln Gln Xaa Gl - #u Thr Glu Met Pro     #                15     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    37:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            54ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #37:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #              50CCAGCC GGCCATGGCC GCTGACGAAC CAACGTGCAA     #             54     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    38:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            48ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #38:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #                48GCCG CACCTCCGAT AGGTGGATAA CGGAGTGA     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    39:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            9 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #39:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asn Glu His Glu Pro Thr Cys Lys Gln      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    40:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            9 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #40:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asn Glu His Asp Pro Thr Cys Pro Gln      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    41:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            9 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #41:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Lys Gly Asp Glu Pro Thr Cys Lys Gln      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    42:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            27ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #42:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #             27   CGTG CAAGCAG     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    43:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            52ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #43:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #              50AAGCTT ACTAGTTTAG ATAGGTGGAT AACGGAGTGA     #              52     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    44:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            54ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #44:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #              50CCAGCC GGCCATGGCC GCTAATGAAC ACAACCTGAG     #             54     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    45:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            51ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #45:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #             51GCGGCCG CAGGTGGTAA CTCTCGGAAT CGATAAAACT C     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    46:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            21ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     # "S" is C or G.HER INFORMATION:     #46:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #21                SGTG C     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    47:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            21ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #47:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #21                CGTG T     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    48:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            21ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #  "R" is A or G.ER INFORMATION:     #48:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #21                TRTG C     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    49:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            21ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #49:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #21                TAAA A     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    50:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            21ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     # "S" is C or G.HER INFORMATION:     #50:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #21                TAAA A     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    51:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            35ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #51:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #       35         AACA CAACCTGAGG TGCCC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    52:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            33ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #52:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #         33       CTTG CTGCGGGCAC CTC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    53:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            36ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #53:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #       36         AACC CGGGCATTTC TGTTCC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    54:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            43ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #54:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     # 43               TCGT GCACTCATGT AGGCGCTTTT TTC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    55:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            31ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #55:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #          31      TGGT TTGAGTTTTC G     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    56:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            34ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #56:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #        34        CTGC AGGTTGAAAG CCTC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    57:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            38ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #57:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #     38           TTCT GTATTTTCGG GTAGTGGC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    58:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            34ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #58:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #        34        TTTG GTCTGCTTTT TTTG     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    59:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            27ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #59:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #             27   AACA ACTGCGC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    60:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            27ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #60:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #             27   TCAG TTTTCTG     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    61:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            32ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #61:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #          32      ACCT ACGGCAGCAG CC     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    62:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            32ENGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     #62:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #          32      ATCT TCTCCCGAAG CT     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    63:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            17 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #63:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Ser Ala Phe Glu Leu Asp Ile Thr Asn Asn Gl - #y Asn Gly Val     #                10     - Leu Met Arg      15     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    64:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            8 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #64:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Leu Ala Ile Leu Gly Trp Ala Arg      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    65:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            8 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #65:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Leu Phe Asp Arg Phe Pro Glu Lys      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    66:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            9 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #66:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Leu Glu Met Asp Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    67:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            13 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #67:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Val Gly Thr Pro Cys Gly Asp Cys Ser Asn Ty - #r Thr Lys     #                 10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    68:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            10 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #68:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asp Glu Asn Ile Tyr Ile Phe Glu Asn Ser     #                10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    69:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            10 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #location 10 is Glu or His.     #69:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asp Glu Asn Ile Tyr Ile Phe Glu Asn Xaa     #                10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    70:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            11 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #location 3 is His or Gln; Xaa in location 10 - # is     #Gly; and Xaa in location 11 is Ala or Tyr.     #70:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asp Ile Xaa Val Tyr Phe Ile Gly Gln Xaa Xa - #a     #                10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    71:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            14 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #71:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asp Phe Ala Pro Arg Ala Ser Lys Met Arg Ty - #r Leu Glu Tyr     #                 10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    72:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            19 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #location 10 is Phe or Ala.     #72:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asp Tyr Ile Tyr Tyr Gln Leu Tyr Pro Xaa Pr - #o Met Ala     #                10     - His Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu         15     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    73:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            15 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #20cations 2, 9 and 14 refers to any of the     #occurring amino acids, since no specific                    amino aci - #d was identified during Edman degradation of                    the pepti - #de.     #73:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asp Xaa Met Gly Leu Gln Phe Leu Xaa Met Hi - #s Asn Gly Xaa Arg     #                15     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    74:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            16 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #location 10 is Met, Gln or Asn; and Xaa in     #11 and 15 refers to any of the 20 naturally     #amino acids, since no specific amino acid was     #during Edman degradation of the peptide.     #74:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asp Ala Met Arg Leu Gln Phe Leu Ala Xaa Xa - #a Asn Gly Tyr Xaa Gly     #                15     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    75:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            11 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #75:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asp Ile Ser Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Trp As - #p     #                10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    76:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            30 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #76:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asp Glu Asn Lys Tyr Ile Phe Glu Asn Ser As - #n Asn Ile Ser Glu     #                 15     - Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala Met Ile Ser Gly Ala Ly - #s Gly Ala Phe Asn     #                 30     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    77:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            7 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #77:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Ala Met Ile Ser Trp Ala Lys      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    78:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            18 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #location 1 refers to any of the 20 naturally     #amino acids, since no specific amino acid was     #during Edman degradation of the peptide.     #78:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Xaa Ala Tyr Ala Val Val Asn Leu Pro Leu Gl - #y Glu Ile Ala     #                10     - Pro Glu Ala Ile     15     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    79:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            8 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #locations 1 and 4 refers to any of the 20     #occurring amino acids, since no specific                    amino aci - #d was identified during Edman degradation of                    the pepti - #de; Xaa in location 8 is Leu or Ile.     #79:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Xaa Phe Tyr Xaa Phe Arg Glu Xaa      1               5     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    80:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            31 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #locations 17, 18 and 20 refers to any of the - # 20     #occurring amino acids, since no specific                    amino aci - #d was identified during Edman degradation of                    the pepti - #de.     #80:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Gly Ala Phe Asn Leu Asn Leu Thr Glu Glu Gl - #y Glu Gly     #                 10     - Val Leu Tyr Xaa Xaa Asn Xaa Asp Ile Ser As - #n Phe Ala     #    25     - Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp                 30     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    81:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            20 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:               (D) OTHER INFORMATION:     #of theons 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10 refers to any                    20 natura - #lly occurring amino acids, since no specific                    amino aci - #d was identified during Edman degradation of                    the pepti - #de.     #81:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Xaa Xaa Xaa Gly Val Leu Tyr Arg Xaa Xaa Le - #u Thr Ile Ser Asn     #                15     - Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala                     20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    82:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            825NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  1...822     #82:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - ATG GAG GCC TAT CTT GTG GTC TTA ATT GCC AT - #T GCT GGC ATA GCT CAT       48     Met Glu Ala Tyr Leu Val Val Leu Ile Ala Il - #e Ala Gly Ile Ala His     #                15     - TCC AAT GAA CAC AAC CTG AGG TGC CCG CAG AA - #T GGA ACA GAA ATG CCC       96     Ser Asn Glu His Asn Leu Arg Cys Pro Gln As - #n Gly Thr Glu Met Pro     #            30     - GGT TTC AAC GAC TCG ATT AGG CTT CAA TTT TT - #A GCA ATG CAC AAT GGT      144     Gly Phe Asn Asp Ser Ile Arg Leu Gln Phe Le - #u Ala Met His Asn Gly     #        45     - TAC AGA TCA AAA CTT GCG CTA GGT CAC ATC AG - #C ATA ACT GAA GAA TCC      192     Tyr Arg Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu Gly His Ile Se - #r Ile Thr Glu Glu Ser     #    60     - GAA AGT GAC GAT GAT GAC GAT TTC GGT TTT TT - #A CCC GAT TTC GCT CCA      240     Glu Ser Asp Asp Asp Asp Asp Phe Gly Phe Le - #u Pro Asp Phe Ala Pro     #80     - AGG GCA TCG AAA ATG AGA TAT CTG GAA TAT GA - #C TGT GAA GCT GAA AAA      288     Arg Ala Ser Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr As - #p Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys     #                95     - AGC GCC TAC ATG TCG GCT AGA AAT TGC TCG GA - #C AGT TCT TCT CCA CCA      336     Ser Ala Tyr Met Ser Ala Arg Asn Cys Ser As - #p Ser Ser Ser Pro Pro     #           110     - GAG GGC TAC GAT GAA AAC AAG TAT ATT TTC GA - #A AAC TCA AAC AAT ATC      384     Glu Gly Tyr Asp Glu Asn Lys Tyr Ile Phe Gl - #u Asn Ser Asn Asn Ile     #       125     - AGT GAA GCT GCT CTG AAG GCC ATG ATC TCG TG - #G GCA AAA GAG GCT TTC      432     Ser Glu Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala Met Ile Ser Tr - #p Ala Lys Glu Ala Phe     #   140     - AAC CTA AAT AAA ACA AAA GAA GGA GAA GGA GT - #T CTG TAC CGG TCG AAC      480     Asn Leu Asn Lys Thr Lys Glu Gly Glu Gly Va - #l Leu Tyr Arg Ser Asn     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - CAC GAC ATA TCA AAC TTC GCT AAT CTG GCT TG - #G GAC GCG CGT GAA AAG      528     His Asp Ile Ser Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Tr - #p Asp Ala Arg Glu Lys     #               175     - TTT GGT TGC GCA GTT GTT AAC TGC CCT TTG GG - #A GAA ATC GAT GAT GAA      576     Phe Gly Cys Ala Val Val Asn Cys Pro Leu Gl - #y Glu Ile Asp Asp Glu     #           190     - ACC AAC CAT GAT GGA GAA ACC TAT GCA ACA AC - #C ATC CAT GTA GTC TGC      624     Thr Asn His Asp Gly Glu Thr Tyr Ala Thr Th - #r Ile His Val Val Cys     #       205     - CAC TAC CCG AAA ATA AAC AAA ACT GAA GGA CA - #G CCG ATT TAC AAG GTA      672     His Tyr Pro Lys Ile Asn Lys Thr Glu Gly Gl - #n Pro Ile Tyr Lys Val     #   220     - GGG ACA CCA TGC GAC GAT TGC AGT GAA TAC AC - #A AAA AAA GCA GAC AAT      720     Gly Thr Pro Cys Asp Asp Cys Ser Glu Tyr Th - #r Lys Lys Ala Asp Asn     225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -     #40     - ACC ACG TCT GCG GAT CCG GTG TGT ATT CCG GA - #T GAC GGA GTC TGC TTT      768     Thr Thr Ser Ala Asp Pro Val Cys Ile Pro As - #p Asp Gly Val Cys Phe     #               255     - ATT GGC TCG AAA GCC GAT TAC GAT AGC AAG GA - #G TTT TAT CGA TTC CGA      816     Ile Gly Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Asp Ser Lys Gl - #u Phe Tyr Arg Phe Arg     #           270     #        825     Glu Leu     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    83:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            274 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #83:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Met Glu Ala Tyr Leu Val Val Leu Ile Ala Il - #e Ala Gly Ile Ala     #                15     - His Ser Asn Glu His Asn Leu Arg Cys Pro Gl - #n Asn Gly Thr Glu     #                30     - Met Pro Gly Phe Asn Asp Ser Ile Arg Leu Gl - #n Phe Leu Ala Met     #                45     - His Asn Gly Tyr Arg Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu Gl - #y His Ile Ser Ile     #                60     - Thr Glu Glu Ser Glu Ser Asp Asp Asp Asp As - #p Phe Gly Phe Leu     #                75     - Pro Asp Phe Ala Pro Arg Ala Ser Lys Met Ar - #g Tyr Leu Glu Tyr     #                90     - Asp Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys Ser Ala Tyr Met Se - #r Ala Arg Asn Cys     #                105     - Ser Asp Ser Ser Ser Pro Pro Glu Gly Tyr As - #p Glu Asn Lys Tyr     #               120     - Ile Phe Glu Asn Ser Asn Asn Ile Ser Glu Al - #a Ala Leu Lys Ala     #               135     - Met Ile Ser Trp Ala Lys Glu Ala Phe Asn Le - #u Asn Lys Thr Lys     #               150     - Glu Gly Glu Gly Val Leu Tyr Arg Ser Asn Hi - #s Asp Ile Ser Asn     #               165     - Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp Ala Arg Glu Ly - #s Phe Gly Cys Ala     #               180     - Val Val Asn Cys Pro Leu Gly Glu Ile Asp As - #p Glu Thr Asn His     #               195     - Asp Gly Glu Thr Tyr Ala Thr Thr Ile His Va - #l Val Cys His Tyr     #               210     - Pro Lys Ile Asn Lys Thr Glu Gly Gln Pro Il - #e Tyr Lys Val Gly     #               225     - Thr Pro Cys Asp Asp Cys Ser Glu Tyr Thr Ly - #s Lys Ala Asp Asn     #               240     - Thr Thr Ser Ala Asp Pro Val Cys Ile Pro As - #p Asp Gly Val Cys     #               255     - Phe Ile Gly Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Asp Ser Ly - #s Glu Phe Tyr Arg     #               270     - Phe Arg Glu Leu     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    84:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            232 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #84:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Met Glu Leu Leu Leu Arg Lys Phe Leu Leu Le - #u Trp Leu Ser Gly     #                15     - Thr Phe Lys Arg Gly Arg Arg Leu Val Val Le - #u Ala Ala Ile Ala     #                30     - Gly Ile Ala His Ala Asn Glu His Asp Pro Th - #r Cys Pro Gln Asn     #                45     - Gly Glu Lys Met Glu Lys Gly Phe Asp Asp Al - #a Ile Arg Leu Lys     #                60     - Phe Leu Ala Met His Asn Gly Tyr Arg Ser Ar - #g Leu Ala Leu Gly     #                75     - His Val Ser Ile Thr Glu Glu Ser Glu Asp Ty - #r Asp Leu Tyr Asp     #                90     - Leu Leu Tyr Ala Pro Arg Ala Ser Lys Met Ar - #g Tyr Leu Lys Tyr     #                105     - Asp Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys Ser Ala Tyr Glu Se - #r Ala Lys Lys Cys     #               120     - Gln Thr Thr Ala Ser Ser Trp Glu Lys Tyr As - #p Glu Asn Leu Gln     #               135     - Val Ile Glu Asp Pro Lys Asp Ile Asn His Al - #a Ala Leu Lys Ala     #               150     - Ile Ile Ser Trp Ala Thr Glu Ala Phe Asn Le - #u Asn Lys Thr Gly     #               165     - Glu Gly Val Val Tyr Arg Ser Ile Leu Asp Il - #e Ser Asn Phe Ala     #               180     - Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp Thr Arg Glu Lys Val Gl - #y Cys Ala Val Val     #               195     - Lys Cys Ser Pro Arg Thr Thr His Val Val Cy - #s His Tyr Pro Lys     #               210     - Lys Ser Arg Arg Lys Glu Asn Pro Ile Tyr Th - #r Thr Gly Asn Arg     #               225     - Cys Gly Gly Cys Ser Asp Tyr                     230     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    85:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            208 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #85:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #Leu Pro Asp Phe Ala Proyr Glu Tyr Gly Phe     #                 15     - Arg Ala Ser Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr As - #p Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys     #            30     - Ser Ala Tyr Val Ser Ala Ser Asn Cys Ser As - #n Ile Ser Ser Pro Pro     #        45     - Glu Gly Tyr Asp Glu Asn Lys Tyr Ile Phe Gl - #u Asn Ser Asn Asn Ile     #    60     - Ser Glu Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala Met Ile Ser Tr - #p Ala Lys Glu Ala Phe     #80     - Asn Leu Asn Lys Thr Gly Glu Gly Val Leu Ty - #r Arg Ser Asn Leu Thr     #                95     - Ile Ser Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp Th - #r Arg Glu Lys Phe Gly     #           110     - Cys Ala Val Val Asn Cys Pro Leu Gly Lys Pr - #o Asp Ala Ile Ile Thr     #       125     - Asp Asp Glu Glu Asn Tyr Ala Thr Ala Ile Hi - #s Val Val Cys His Tyr     #   140     - Pro Lys Ile Asn Lys Thr Glu Gly Gln Pro Il - #e Tyr Lys Val Gly Thr     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - Pro Cys Asp Asp Cys Ser Glu Tyr Thr Lys Ly - #s Ala Asp Asn Thr Thr     #               175     - Ser Ala Asp Pro Gln Cys His Pro Asp Ile Gl - #y Val Cys Phe Ile Gly     #           190     - Ser Lys Gly Asp Tyr Asp Ser Lys Glu Phe Ty - #r Arg Phe Arg Glu Leu     #       205     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    86:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            231 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #86:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Leu Leu Leu Ser Ser Ser Ala Ala His Ser As - #n Glu His Asn Pro Ile     #                15     - Cys Ser Gln Asn Gly Thr Gly Met Phe Gly Ph - #e Asn Asp Ser Met Arg     #            30     - Leu Lys Phe Leu Glu Met His Asn Gly Tyr Ar - #g Ser Arg Leu Ala Leu     #        45     - Gly His Ile Ser Ile Thr Glu Glu Pro Glu Se - #r Tyr Asp Asp Asp Asp     #    60     - Asp Tyr Gly Tyr Ser Glu Val Leu Tyr Ala Pr - #o Ser Ala Ser Lys Met     #80     - Arg Tyr Met Glu Tyr Asp Cys Glu Ala Glu Ly - #s Ser Ala Tyr Lys Ser     #                95     - Ala Ser Ser Cys Ser Asp Ser Ser Ser Ser Pr - #o Glu Gly Tyr Asp Glu     #           110     - Asn Lys Tyr Ile Leu Glu Asn Ser Ser Asn Il - #e Ser Glu Ala Ala Arg     #       125     - Leu Ala Ile Leu Ser Trp Ala Lys Glu Ala Ph - #e Asp Leu Asn Lys Thr     #   140     - Gly Glu Gly Val Leu Tyr Arg Ser Asn Leu Th - #r Ile Ser Asn Phe Ala     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp Thr Arg Glu Lys Phe Gl - #y Cys Ala Val Ala Lys     #               175     - Cys Pro Leu Lys Asp Thr Ser Ala Thr Thr Il - #e His Val Val Cys His     #           190     - Tyr Pro Lys Ile Glu Gly Glu Glu Lys Glu Gl - #y Lys Gln Ile Tyr Lys     #       205     - Val Gly Thr Pro Cys Gly Asp Cys Ser Glu Ty - #r Thr Lys Lys Ala Asp     #   220     - Asn Thr Thr Ser Thr Asp Pro     225                 2 - #30     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    87:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            224 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #87:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #Ala His Ser Asn Glu Hisla Ile Ala Gly Ile     #                 15     - Asn Leu Thr Cys Pro Gln Asn Gly Thr Glu Me - #t Pro Gly Phe Asn Asp     #            30     - Ser Ile Arg Leu Gln Phe Leu Ala Met His As - #n Gly Tyr Arg Ser Lys     #        45     - Leu Ala Leu Gly His Ile Ser Ile Thr Asp Gl - #u Ser Glu Ser Glu Ser     #    60     - Asp Asp Glu Tyr Asp Tyr Trp Tyr Ala Pro Th - #r Ala Pro Thr Ala Ser     #80     - Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr Asp Cys Glu Al - #a Glu Lys Ser Ala Tyr     #                95     - Met Ser Ala Arg Asn Cys Ser Asp Ser Ser Se - #r Pro Pro Glu Gly Asp     #           110     - Glu Asn Lys Tyr Ile Phe Glu Asn Ser Asn As - #n Ile Ser Glu Ala Ala     #       125     - Leu Lys Ala Met Ile Ser Trp Ala Lys Glu Al - #a Phe Asn Leu Asn Lys     #   140     - Thr Glu Glu Gly Glu Gly Val Leu Tyr Arg Se - #r Asn His Asp Ile Ser     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp Thr Arg Gl - #u Lys Phe Gly Cys Ala     #               175     - Val Val Asn Cys Pro Leu Gly Glu Ile Asp Gl - #y Thr Thr Ile His Asp     #           190     - Gly Glu Thr Tyr Ala Thr Thr Ile His Val Va - #l Cys His Tyr Pro Lys     #       205     - Met Asn Lys Thr Glu Gly Gln Pro Ile Tyr Ly - #s Val Gly Lys Pro Cys     #   220     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    88:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            146 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #88:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Met Lys Ser Tyr Leu Met Val Leu Ala Ala Va - #l Ala Gly Ile Ala His     #                15     - Ala Asn Glu His Asp Leu Ile Cys Pro His As - #n Glu Gly Glu Met Glu     #            30     - Lys Gly Phe Asp Asp Ala Met Arg Leu Lys Ph - #e Leu Ala Leu His Asn     #        45     - Gly Tyr Arg Ser Arg Leu Ala Leu Gly His Va - #l Ser Ile Thr Glu Glu     #    60     - Ser Glu Asp Tyr Asp Leu Tyr Asp Leu Ser Ty - #r Ala Pro Thr Ala Ser     #80     - Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu Lys Tyr Asp Cys Glu Al - #a Glu Lys Ser Ala Tyr     #                95     - Glu Ser Ala Lys Lys Cys Gln Thr Thr Ala Se - #r Ser Ser Thr Lys Tyr     #           110     - Asp Glu Asn Leu Gln Val Ile Glu Asp Pro Ar - #g Asp Ile Asn His Ala     #       125     - Ala Leu Lys Ala Thr Ile Ser Trp Ala Thr Gl - #u Ala Phe Asn Leu Asn     #   140     - Lys Thr     145     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    89:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            189 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #89:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Met Arg Leu Leu Arg Glu Ala Tyr Leu Val Va - #l Leu Val Ala Ile Ala     #                 15     - Gly Ile Ala His Ser Asn Glu His Asn Leu Th - #r Cys Pro Gln Asn Gly     #            30     - Thr Glu Met Pro Asp Phe Ser Asp Ser Ile Ar - #g Leu Gln Phe Leu Ala     #        45     - Met His Asn Gly Tyr Arg Ser Asn Leu Ala Le - #u Gly His Ile Gly Ile     #    60     - Ser Lys Glu Ser Ile Gly Asp Asp Tyr Asp As - #p Asp Tyr Tyr Tyr Phe     #80     - Tyr Ser Ser Tyr Ala Pro Met Ala Ser Lys Me - #t Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr     #                95     - Asp Cys Asp Ser Glu Arg Ser Ala Tyr Met Se - #r Ala Ser Asn Cys Ser     #           110     - Asp Ser Ser Ser Pro Pro Glu Gly Tyr Asp Gl - #u Asn Lys Tyr Ile Leu     #       125     - Glu Asn Ser Ser Asn Ile Asn Glu Ala Ala Ar - #g Leu Ala Ile Ile Ser     #   140     - Trp Gly Lys Glu Ala Phe Asn Leu Asn Glu Th - #r Gly Glu Gly Val Leu     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - Tyr Arg Ser Asn Leu Thr Ile Ser Asn Phe Al - #a Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp     #               175     - Thr Arg Glu Lys Phe Gly Cys Ala Val Val Ly - #s Cys Pro     #           185     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    90:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            980NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  91...183     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  189...96 - #2     #90:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - GAATTCCGCA AGGGATAAAT ATCTAACACC GTGCGTGTTG ACTATTTTAC CT - #CTGGCGGT       60     #ATA ACC CTG AAA    114 AGGAGGTTGT  ATG GAA CAA CGC     #Glu Gln Arg Ile Thr Leu Lys     #              5  1     - GAT AGC TTG GGA TCC GTC GAC CGA GCA AAT AA - #T TCA ACC ACT AAA CAA      162     Asp Ser Leu Gly Ser Val Asp Arg Ala Asn As - #n Ser Thr Thr Lys Gln     #    20     #GAA CAC AAC CTG AGG        209AACC ATG AAC     Ile Asn Arg Val Ser Arg Arg  ***  Met A - #sn Glu His Asn Leu Arg     #      35     - TGC CCG CAG AAT GGA ACA GAA ATG CCC GGT TT - #C AAC GAC TCG ATT AGG      257     Cys Pro Gln Asn Gly Thr Glu Met Pro Gly Ph - #e Asn Asp Ser Ile Arg     #    505     - CTT CAA TTT TTA GCA ATG CAC AAT GGT TAC AG - #A TCA AAA CTT GCG CTA      305     Leu Gln Phe Leu Ala Met His Asn Gly Tyr Ar - #g Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu     #70     - GGT CAC ATC AGC ATA ACT GAA GAA TCC GAA AG - #T GAC GAT GAT GAC GAT      353     Gly His Ile Ser Ile Thr Glu Glu Ser Glu Se - #r Asp Asp Asp Asp Asp     #                85     - TTC GGT TTT TTA CCC GAT TTC GCT CCA AGG GC - #A TCG AAA ATG AGA TAT      401     Phe Gly Phe Leu Pro Asp Phe Ala Pro Arg Al - #a Ser Lys Met Arg Tyr     #            100     - CTG GAA TAT GAC TGT GAA GCT GAA AAA AGC GC - #C TAC ATG TCG GCT AGA      449     Leu Glu Tyr Asp Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys Ser Al - #a Tyr Met Ser Ala Arg     #       115     - AAT TGC TCG GAC AGT TCT TCT CCA CCA GAG GG - #C TAC GAT GAA AAC AAG      497     Asn Cys Ser Asp Ser Ser Ser Pro Pro Glu Gl - #y Tyr Asp Glu Asn Lys     #   130     - TAT ATT TTC GAA AAC TCA AAC AAT ATC AGT GA - #A GCT GCT CTG AAG GCC      545     Tyr Ile Phe Glu Asn Ser Asn Asn Ile Ser Gl - #u Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala     135                 1 - #40                 1 - #45                 1 -     #50     - ATG ATC TCG TGG GCA AAA GAG GCT TTC AAC CT - #A AAT AAA ACA AAA GAA      593     Met Ile Ser Trp Ala Lys Glu Ala Phe Asn Le - #u Asn Lys Thr Lys Glu     #               165     - GGA GAA GGA GTT CTG TAC CGG TCG AAC CAC GA - #C ATA TCA AAC TTC GCT      641     Gly Glu Gly Val Leu Tyr Arg Ser Asn His As - #p Ile Ser Asn Phe Ala     #           180     - AAT CTG GCT TGG GAC GCG CGT GAA AAG TTT GG - #T TGC GCA GTT GTT AAC      689     Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp Ala Arg Glu Lys Phe Gl - #y Cys Ala Val Val Asn     #       195     - TGC CCT TTG GGA GAA ATC GAT GAT GAA ACC AA - #C CAT GAT GGA GAA ACC      737     Cys Pro Leu Gly Glu Ile Asp Asp Glu Thr As - #n His Asp Gly Glu Thr     #   210     - TAT GCA ACA ACC ATC CAT GTA GTC TGC CAC TA - #C CCG AAA ATA AAC AAA      785     Tyr Ala Thr Thr Ile His Val Val Cys His Ty - #r Pro Lys Ile Asn Lys     215                 2 - #20                 2 - #25                 2 -     #30     - ACT GAA GGA CAG CCG ATT TAC AAG GTA GGG AC - #A CCA TGC GAC GAT TGC      833     Thr Glu Gly Gln Pro Ile Tyr Lys Val Gly Th - #r Pro Cys Asp Asp Cys     #               245     - AGT GAA TAC ACA AAA AAA GCA GAC AAT ACC AC - #G TCT GCG GAT CCG GTG      881     Ser Glu Tyr Thr Lys Lys Ala Asp Asn Thr Th - #r Ser Ala Asp Pro Val     #           260     - TGT ATT CCG GAT GAC GGA GTC TGC TTT ATT GG - #C TCG AAA GCC GAT TAC      929     Cys Ile Pro Asp Asp Gly Val Cys Phe Ile Gl - #y Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr     #       275     - GAT AGC AAG GAG TTT TAT CGA TTC CGA GAG TT - #A TAAACTAGTA AGCTTGCT      980     Asp Ser Lys Glu Phe Tyr Arg Phe Arg Glu Le - #u     #   285     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    91:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            848NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  1...822     #91:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - ATG GAG GCC TAT CTT GTG GTC TTA ATT GCC AT - #T GCT GGC ATA GCT CAT       48     Met Glu Ala Tyr Leu Val Val Leu Ile Ala Il - #e Ala Gly Ile Ala His     #                15     - TCC AAT GAA CAC AAC CTG AGG TGC CCG CAG AA - #T GGA ACA GAA ATG CCC       96     Ser Asn Glu His Asn Leu Arg Cys Pro Gln As - #n Gly Thr Glu Met Pro     #            30     - GGT TTC AAC GAC TCG ATT AGG CTT CAA TTT TT - #A GCA ATG CAC AAT GGT      144     Gly Phe Asn Asp Ser Ile Arg Leu Gln Phe Le - #u Ala Met His Asn Gly     #        45     - TAC AGA TCA AAA CTT GCG CTA GGT CAC ATC AG - #C ATA ACT GAA GAA TCC      192     Tyr Arg Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu Gly His Ile Se - #r Ile Thr Glu Glu Ser     #    60     - GAA AGT GAC GAT GAT GAC GAT TTC GGT TTT TT - #A CCC GAT TTC GCT CCA      240     Glu Ser Asp Asp Asp Asp Asp Phe Gly Phe Le - #u Pro Asp Phe Ala Pro     #80     - AGG GCA TCG AAA ATG AGA TAT CTG GAA TAT GA - #C TGT GAA GCT GAA AAA      288     Arg Ala Ser Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr As - #p Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys     #                95     - AGC GCC TAC ATG TCG GCT AGA AAT TGC TCG GA - #C AGT TCT TCT CCA CCA      336     Ser Ala Tyr Met Ser Ala Arg Asn Cys Ser As - #p Ser Ser Ser Pro Pro     #           110     - GAG GGC TAC GAT GAA AAC AAG TAT ATT TTC GA - #A AAC TCA AAC AAT ATC      384     Glu Gly Tyr Asp Glu Asn Lys Tyr Ile Phe Gl - #u Asn Ser Asn Asn Ile     #       125     - AGT GAA GCT GCT CTG AAG GCC ATG ATC TCG TG - #G GCA AAA GAG GCT TTC      432     Ser Glu Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala Met Ile Ser Tr - #p Ala Lys Glu Ala Phe     #   140     - AAC CTA AAT AAA ACA AAA GAA GGA GAA GGA GT - #T CTG TAC CGG TCG AAC      480     Asn Leu Asn Lys Thr Lys Glu Gly Glu Gly Va - #l Leu Tyr Arg Ser Asn     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - CAC GAC ATA TCA AAC TTC GCT AAT CTG GCT TG - #G GAC GCG CGT GAA AAG      528     His Asp Ile Ser Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Tr - #p Asp Ala Arg Glu Lys     #               175     - TTT GGT TGC GCA GTT GTT AAC TGC CCT TTG GG - #A GAA ATC GAT GAT GAA      576     Phe Gly Cys Ala Val Val Asn Cys Pro Leu Gl - #y Glu Ile Asp Asp Glu     #           190     - ACC AAC CAT GAT GGA GAA ACC TAT GCA ACA AC - #C ATC CAT GTA GTC TGC      624     Thr Asn His Asp Gly Glu Thr Tyr Ala Thr Th - #r Ile His Val Val Cys     #       205     - CAC TAC CCG AAA ATA AAC AAA ACT GAA GGA CA - #G CCG ATT TAC AAG GTA      672     His Tyr Pro Lys Ile Asn Lys Thr Glu Gly Gl - #n Pro Ile Tyr Lys Val     #   220     - GGG ACA CCA TGC GAC GAT TGC AGT GAA TAC AC - #A AAA AAA GCA GAC AAT      720     Gly Thr Pro Cys Asp Asp Cys Ser Glu Tyr Th - #r Lys Lys Ala Asp Asn     225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -     #40     - ACC ACG TCT GCG GAT CCG GTG TGT ATT CCG GA - #T GAC GGA GTC TGC TTT      768     Thr Thr Ser Ala Asp Pro Val Cys Ile Pro As - #p Asp Gly Val Cys Phe     #               255     - ATT GGC TCG AAA GCC GAT TAC GAT AGC AAG GA - #G TTT TAT CGA TTC CGA      816     Ile Gly Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Asp Ser Lys Gl - #u Phe Tyr Arg Phe Arg     #           270     #         848      C GAGACGTATA AAGAAG     Glu Leu     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    92:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            825NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  1...822     #92:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - ATG GAG GCC TAT CTT GTG GTC TTA ATT GCC AT - #T GCT GGC ATA GCC CAC       48     Met Glu Ala Tyr Leu Val Val Leu Ile Ala Il - #e Ala Gly Ile Ala His     #                15     - TCC AAT GAA CAC AAA CCG ATG TGC CAG CAG AA - #T GGA ACA GAA ATG CCC       96     Ser Asn Glu His Lys Pro Met Cys Gln Gln As - #n Gly Thr Glu Met Pro     #            30     - GAT TTC AAC GAC TCG ATT AGG CTT CAA TTT TT - #A GCA ATG CAC AAT GGT      144     Asp Phe Asn Asp Ser Ile Arg Leu Gln Phe Le - #u Ala Met His Asn Gly     #        45     - TAC AGA TCA AAA CTT GCG CTA GGT CAC ATC AG - #C ATA ACT GAA GAA TCC      192     Tyr Arg Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu Gly His Ile Se - #r Ile Thr Glu Glu Ser     #    60     - GAA AGT GAC GAT GAT GAC GAT TTC GGT TTT TT - #A CCC GAT TTC GCT CCA      240     Glu Ser Asp Asp Asp Asp Asp Phe Gly Phe Le - #u Pro Asp Phe Ala Pro     # 80     - AGG GCA TCG AAA ATG AGA TAT CTG GAA TAT GA - #C TGT GAA GCT GAA AAA      288     Arg Ala Ser Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr As - #p Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys     #                95     - AGC GCC TAC ATG TCG GCT AGA AAT TGC TCG GA - #C AGT TCT TCT CCA CCA      336     Ser Ala Tyr Met Ser Ala Arg Asn Cys Ser As - #p Ser Ser Ser Pro Pro     #           110     - GAG GGC TAC GAT GAA AAC AAG TAT ATT TTC GA - #A AAC TCA AAC AAT ATC      384     Glu Gly Tyr Asp Glu Asn Lys Tyr Ile Phe Gl - #u Asn Ser Asn Asn Ile     #       125     - AGT GAA GCT GCT CTG AAG GCC ATG ATC TCG TG - #G GCA AAA GAG GCT TTC      432     Ser Glu Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala Met Ile Ser Tr - #p Ala Lys Glu Ala Phe     #   140     - AAC CTA AAT AAA ACA GAA GAA GGA GAA GAA GT - #T TTG TAC CGG TCG AAC      480     Asn Leu Asn Lys Thr Glu Glu Gly Glu Glu Va - #l Leu Tyr Arg Ser Asn     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - CAC GAC ATA TCA AAC TTC GCT AAT CTG GCT TG - #G GAC GCG CGT GAA AAG      528     His Asp Ile Ser Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Tr - #p Asp Ala Arg Glu Lys     #               175     - TTT GGT TGC GCA GTT GTT AAC TGC CCT TTG GG - #A GAA ATC GAT GAT GAA      576     Phe Gly Cys Ala Val Val Asn Cys Pro Leu Gl - #y Glu Ile Asp Asp Glu     #           190     - ACC ATC CAT GAT GGA GAA ACC TAT GCA ACA AC - #C ATC CAT GTA GTC TGC      624     Thr Ile His Asp Gly Glu Thr Tyr Ala Thr Th - #r Ile His Val Val Cys     #       205     - CAC TAC CCG AAA ATA AAC AAA ACT GAA GGA GA - #G CCG ATT TAC AAG GTA      672     His Tyr Pro Lys Ile Asn Lys Thr Glu Gly Gl - #u Pro Ile Tyr Lys Val     #   220     - GGG ACA CCA TGC GAC GAT TGC AGT GAA TAC AC - #A AAA AAA GCA GAC AAT      720     Gly Thr Pro Cys Asp Asp Cys Ser Glu Tyr Th - #r Lys Lys Ala Asp Asn     225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -     #40     - ACC ACG TCT GCG GAT CCG CAG TGT CAT CCG GA - #T ATC GGG GTC TGC TTT      768     Thr Thr Ser Ala Asp Pro Gln Cys His Pro As - #p Ile Gly Val Cys Phe     #               255     - ATT GGC TCG AAA GCC GAT TAC GAT AGC AAG GA - #G TTT TAT CGA TTC CGA      816     Ile Gly Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Asp Ser Lys Gl - #u Phe Tyr Arg Phe Arg     #           270     #        825     Glu Leu     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    93:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            792NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     # "N" at location 678 is anTION:                    undetermined - # nucleotide.  "Xaa" at                    at locati - #on 226 is an undetermined                    amino aci - #d.     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  1...789     #93:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - GCT GGC ATA GCT CAC TCG AAT GAA CAC AAC CT - #G ACG TGC CCG CAG AAT       48     Ala Gly Ile Ala His Ser Asn Glu His Asn Le - #u Thr Cys Pro Gln Asn     #                15     - GGA ACA GAA ATG CCC GGT TTC AAC GAC TCG AT - #T AGA CTT CAG TTT TTA       96     Gly Thr Glu Met Pro Gly Phe Asn Asp Ser Il - #e Arg Leu Gln Phe Leu     #            30     - GCA ATG CAC AAT GGT TAC AGA TCG AAA CTT GC - #G CTA GGT CAC ATC AGC      144     Ala Met His Asn Gly Tyr Arg Ser Lys Leu Al - #a Leu Gly His Ile Ser     #        45     - ATA ACT GAC GAA TCC GAA TCC GAA AGT GAC GA - #T GAA TAC GAT TAT TGG      192     Ile Thr Asp Glu Ser Glu Ser Glu Ser Asp As - #p Glu Tyr Asp Tyr Trp     #    60     - TAC GCT CCA ACG GCA TAC GCT CCA ACG GCA TC - #G AAA ATG AGA TAT CTA      240     Tyr Ala Pro Thr Ala Tyr Ala Pro Thr Ala Se - #r Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu     #80     - GAA TAT GAC TGT GAA GCT GAA AAA AGC GCC TA - #C ATG TCG GCT AGA AAT      288     Glu Tyr Asp Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys Ser Ala Ty - #r Met Ser Ala Arg Asn     #                95     - TGC TCG GAC AGT TCT TCT CCA CCA GAG GGC TA - #C GAT GAA AAC AAG TAT      336     Cys Ser Asp Ser Ser Ser Pro Pro Glu Gly Ty - #r Asp Glu Asn Lys Tyr     #           110     - ATT TTC GAA AAC TCA AAC AAT ATC AGT GAA GC - #T GCT CGA CTG GCC ATT      384     Ile Phe Glu Asn Ser Asn Asn Ile Ser Glu Al - #a Ala Arg Leu Ala Ile     #       125     - CTC TCG TGG GCA AAA GAG GCT TTC GAT CTA AA - #T AAA ACA GGA GAA GGA      432     Leu Ser Trp Ala Lys Glu Ala Phe Asp Leu As - #n Lys Thr Gly Glu Gly     #   140     - GTT CTG TAC CGG TCG AAC CTC ACC ATA TCG AA - #C TTC GCT AAT CTG GCT      480     Val Leu Tyr Arg Ser Asn Leu Thr Ile Ser As - #n Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - TGG GAC ACG CGT GAA AAG TTT GGA TGT GCA GT - #T GTT AAC TGC CCT TTG      528     Trp Asp Thr Arg Glu Lys Phe Gly Cys Ala Va - #l Val Asn Cys Pro Leu     #               175     - GGA GAA ATC GAT GCA GAC ATC TAT GAT GAA GA - #A ACC TAT GCA ACA ACC      576     Gly Glu Ile Asp Ala Asp Ile Tyr Asp Glu Gl - #u Thr Tyr Ala Thr Thr     #           190     - ATC CAT GTA GTC TGC CAC ATC CCG AAA ATA AA - #C AAA ACT GAA GGA GAG      624     Ile His Val Val Cys His Ile Pro Lys Ile As - #n Lys Thr Glu Gly Glu     #       205     - CCG ATT TAC AAG GTA GGG ACA CCA TGC GAC GA - #T TGC AGT GAA TAC ACA      672     Pro Ile Tyr Lys Val Gly Thr Pro Cys Asp As - #p Cys Ser Glu Tyr Thr     #   220     - AAA AAN GCA GAC AAT ACC ACG TCT GCG GAT CC - #G GTG TGT ATT CCG GAT      720     Lys Xaa Ala Asp Asn Thr Thr Ser Ala Asp Pr - #o Val Cys Ile Pro Asp     225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -     #40     - GAC GGA GTC TGC TTT ATT GGC TCG AAA GCC GA - #T TAC GAT AGC AAG GAG      768     Asp Gly Val Cys Phe Ile Gly Ser Lys Ala As - #p Tyr Asp Ser Lys Glu     #               255     #               792GA GAG TTA TAA     Phe Tyr Arg Phe Arg Glu Leu                 260     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    94:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            864NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  2...811     #94:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #GCT GGC ATA GCC CAC TCC     49 GTT GCC ATT       Glu Ala Tyr Leu Val Val Leu Val Ala I - #le Ala Gly Ile Ala His Ser     #15     - AAT GAA CAC AAA CCG ATG TGC CAG CAG AAT GA - #A ACA GAA ATG CCC GGT       97     Asn Glu His Lys Pro Met Cys Gln Gln Asn Gl - #u Thr Glu Met Pro Gly     #            30     - TTC AAC GAC TTG ATG AGG CTT CAA TTT TTA GC - #A ATG CAC AAC GGT TAC      145     Phe Asn Asp Leu Met Arg Leu Gln Phe Leu Al - #a Met His Asn Gly Tyr     #        45     - AGA TCG AAA CTT GCG CTA GGT CAC ATC AGC AT - #A ACT GAC GAA TCC GAA      193     Arg Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu Gly His Ile Ser Il - #e Thr Asp Glu Ser Glu     #    60     - AGT GAC TAT GAT TAC GAT TAC GGT TTT TTA CC - #C GAT TTC GCT CCA AGT      241     Ser Asp Tyr Asp Tyr Asp Tyr Gly Phe Leu Pr - #o Asp Phe Ala Pro Ser     #80     - GCA TCG AAA ATG AGA TAT CTG GAA TAT GAC TG - #T GAA GCT GAA AGA AGC      289     Ala Ser Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr Asp Cy - #s Glu Ala Glu Arg Ser     #                95     - GCC TAC ACG TCG GCT AGT GAT TGC TCG GAC AG - #T TCA TCT CCA CCA GAG      337     Ala Tyr Thr Ser Ala Ser Asp Cys Ser Asp Se - #r Ser Ser Pro Pro Glu     #           110     - GGC TAC GAT GAA AAC AAG TAT ATT TTC GAA AA - #T TCA AAC AAT ATC AGT      385     Gly Tyr Asp Glu Asn Lys Tyr Ile Phe Glu As - #n Ser Asn Asn Ile Ser     #       125     - GAA GCT GCT CTG AAG GCC ATG ATC TCG TGG GC - #A AAA GAG GCC TTT AAC      433     Glu Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala Met Ile Ser Trp Al - #a Lys Glu Ala Phe Asn     #   140     - CTA AAT AAA ACA GAA AAA GGA GTT CTG TAC CA - #G CCC AAC CAC GAC ATA      481     Leu Asn Lys Thr Glu Lys Gly Val Leu Tyr Gl - #n Pro Asn His Asp Ile     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - TCC AAC TTC GCT AAT CTG GCT TGG GAC ACG CG - #T GAA AAG TTT GGA TGT      529     Ser Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp Thr Ar - #g Glu Lys Phe Gly Cys     #               175     - GCA GTT GTT AAC TGC CCT TTG GGA GAA ATC GA - #T GCA GAC ATC TAT GAT      577     Ala Val Val Asn Cys Pro Leu Gly Glu Ile As - #p Ala Asp Ile Tyr Asp     #           190     - GAA GAA ACC TAT GCA ACA ACC ATC CAT GTA GT - #C TGC CAC TAC CCG AAA      625     Glu Glu Thr Tyr Ala Thr Thr Ile His Val Va - #l Cys His Tyr Pro Lys     #       205     - ATA AAC AAA ACT GAA GGA GAG CCG ATT TAC AA - #G GTA GGG ACA CCA TGC      673     Ile Asn Lys Thr Glu Gly Glu Pro Ile Tyr Ly - #s Val Gly Thr Pro Cys     #   220     - GAC GAT TGC AGT GAA TAC ACA AAA AAA GCA GA - #C AAT ACC ACG TCT GCG      721     Asp Asp Cys Ser Glu Tyr Thr Lys Lys Ala As - #p Asn Thr Thr Ser Ala     225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -     #40     - GAT CCG GTG TGT ATT CCG GAT GAC GGA GTC TG - #C TTT ATT GGC TCG AAA      769     Asp Pro Val Cys Ile Pro Asp Asp Gly Val Cy - #s Phe Ile Gly Ser Lys     #               255     - GAC GAT TAC ATT AAG AAG AAG TTT TAT CGT TT - #C CGA GAG TTA TGAATAAGTC      821     Asp Asp Tyr Ile Lys Lys Lys Phe Tyr Arg Ph - #e Arg Glu Leu     #           270     #864               TCAA ACAAGCAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AAA     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    95:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            877NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  1...822     #95:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - TAT CTT GTG GTC TTA ATT GCC ATT GTT GGC AT - #A GCT CAC TCC AAT GAA       48     Tyr Leu Val Val Leu Ile Ala Ile Val Gly Il - #e Ala His Ser Asn Glu     #                15     - CAC AAA CCG ATG TGC GAG CGG AAT GAA ACA GA - #A ATG CCT GGT TTC AAC       96     His Lys Pro Met Cys Glu Arg Asn Glu Thr Gl - #u Met Pro Gly Phe Asn     #            30     - GAC TCG ATG AGG CTT CAA TTT TTA GCA ATG CA - #C AAT GGT TAC AGA TCG      144     Asp Ser Met Arg Leu Gln Phe Leu Ala Met Hi - #s Asn Gly Tyr Arg Ser     #        45     - TTG CTT GCG CTC GGT CAC GTC GGA ATA AGT AA - #A CAA CCG ATC GAT GAT      192     Leu Leu Ala Leu Gly His Val Gly Ile Ser Ly - #s Gln Pro Ile Asp Asp     #    60     - GAT TAC TAC GAT GAT GAT TAC TAC TAT TTC TA - #T TCA TCA TAT GCT CCA      240     Asp Tyr Tyr Asp Asp Asp Tyr Tyr Tyr Phe Ty - #r Ser Ser Tyr Ala Pro     #80     - AGG GCA TCG AAA ATG AGA TAT CTG GAA TAT GA - #C TGT GAA GCT GAA AAA      288     Arg Ala Ser Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr As - #p Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys     #                95     - AGC GCC TAC GTG TCG GCT AGC AAT TGC TCG AA - #C ATT TCA TCT CCA CCA      336     Ser Ala Tyr Val Ser Ala Ser Asn Cys Ser As - #n Ile Ser Ser Pro Pro     #           110     - GAG GGC TAC GAT GAA AAC AAG TAT ATT TTC GA - #A AAC TCA AAC AAT ATC      384     Glu Gly Tyr Asp Glu Asn Lys Tyr Ile Phe Gl - #u Asn Ser Asn Asn Ile     #       125     - AGT GAA GCT GCT CTG AAG GCC ATG ATC TCG TG - #G GCA AAA GAG GCT TTC      432     Ser Glu Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala Met Ile Ser Tr - #p Ala Lys Glu Ala Phe     #   140     - AAC CTA AAT AAA ACA GAA GAA GGA GAA GGA GT - #T CTG TAC CGG TCG AAC      480     Asn Leu Asn Lys Thr Glu Glu Gly Glu Gly Va - #l Leu Tyr Arg Ser Asn     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - CAC GAC ATA TCA AAC TTC GCT AAT CTG GCT TG - #G GAC ACG CGT GAA AAG      528     His Asp Ile Ser Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Tr - #p Asp Thr Arg Glu Lys     #               175     - TTT GGT TGC GCA GTT GTT AAC TGC CCT TTG GG - #A GAA ATC GAT ACA ACA      576     Phe Gly Cys Ala Val Val Asn Cys Pro Leu Gl - #y Glu Ile Asp Thr Thr     #           190     - AGC AAC CGT GAT GGA GAA ACC TAT GCA ACA GC - #C ATC CAT GTA GTC TGC      624     Ser Asn Arg Asp Gly Glu Thr Tyr Ala Thr Al - #a Ile His Val Val Cys     #       205     - CAC TAC CCA AAA ATA CTC GAA AAG GAA GAA AA - #A CAG ATT TAC GAG GTG      672     His Tyr Pro Lys Ile Leu Glu Lys Glu Glu Ly - #s Gln Ile Tyr Glu Val     #   220     - GGG AAA CCA TGC GAT CGT TGC AGT GAA TAC TC - #A AAA AAC GCA AAC AAT      720     Gly Lys Pro Cys Asp Arg Cys Ser Glu Tyr Se - #r Lys Asn Ala Asn Asn     225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -     #40     - ATC ACG TCT CCG AAT TGG GTG TGT AAT GAC GA - #T GAT GGA GTC TGC TTT      768     Ile Thr Ser Pro Asn Trp Val Cys Asn Asp As - #p Asp Gly Val Cys Phe     #               255     - ATT GGC TCG AAA GAC GAT TAC ATT AGC AAG GA - #G TTT TAT CGA TTC CGA      816     Ile Gly Ser Lys Asp Asp Tyr Ile Ser Lys Gl - #u Phe Tyr Arg Phe Arg     #           270     - GAG TTA TGAATAAGTC GAGACGTATA AAGAAGTCAA GCAAGCAAAA AA - #AAAAAAAA      872     Glu Leu     #           877     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    96:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            864NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  3...803     #96:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - AT CTT GTG GTC TTA GTT GCC ATT GCT GGC ATA - # GCC CAC TCC AAT GAA       47     #Ile Ala His Ser Asn Glula Ile Ala Gly     # 15     - CAC AAA CCG ATG TGC CAG CAG AAT GAA ACA GA - #A ATG CCC GGT TTC AAC       95     His Lys Pro Met Cys Gln Gln Asn Glu Thr Gl - #u Met Pro Gly Phe Asn     #                30     - GAC TTG ATG AGG CTT CAA TTT TTA GCA ATG CA - #C AAC GGT TAC AGA TCG      143     Asp Leu Met Arg Leu Gln Phe Leu Ala Met Hi - #s Asn Gly Tyr Arg Ser     #            45     - AAA CTT GCG CTA GGT CAC ATC AGC ATA ACT GA - #C GAA TCC GAA AGT GAC      191     Lys Leu Ala Leu Gly His Ile Ser Ile Thr As - #p Glu Ser Glu Ser Asp     #        60     - TAT GAT TAC GAT TAC GGT TTT TTA CCC GAT TT - #C GCT CCA AGT GCA TCG      239     Tyr Asp Tyr Asp Tyr Gly Phe Leu Pro Asp Ph - #e Ala Pro Ser Ala Ser     #    75     - AAA ATG AGA TAT CTG GAA TAT GAC TGT GAA GC - #T GAA AGA AGC GCC TAC      287     Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr Asp Cys Glu Al - #a Glu Arg Ser Ala Tyr     #95     - ACG TCG GCT AGT GAT TGC TCG GAC AGT TCA TC - #T CCA CCA GAG GGC TAC      335     Thr Ser Ala Ser Asp Cys Ser Asp Ser Ser Se - #r Pro Pro Glu Gly Tyr     #               110     - GAT GAA AAC AAG TAT ATT TTC GAA AAT TCA AA - #C AAT ATC AGT GAA GCT      383     Asp Glu Asn Lys Tyr Ile Phe Glu Asn Ser As - #n Asn Ile Ser Glu Ala     #           125     - GCT CTG AAG GCC ATG ATC TCG TGG GCA AAA GA - #G GCC TTT AAC CTA AAT      431     Ala Leu Lys Ala Met Ile Ser Trp Ala Lys Gl - #u Ala Phe Asn Leu Asn     #       140     - AAA ACA GAA AAA GGA GTT CTG TAC CAG CCC AA - #C CAC GAC ATA TCC AAC      479     Lys Thr Glu Lys Gly Val Leu Tyr Gln Pro As - #n His Asp Ile Ser Asn     #   155     - TTC GCT AAT CTG GCT TGG GAC ACG CGT GAA AA - #G TTT GGA TGT GCA GTT      527     Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp Thr Arg Glu Ly - #s Phe Gly Cys Ala Val     160                 1 - #65                 1 - #70                 1 -     #75     - GTT AAC TGC CCT TTG GGA GAA ATC GAT GCA GA - #C ATC TAT GAT GAA GAA      575     Val Asn Cys Pro Leu Gly Glu Ile Asp Ala As - #p Ile Tyr Asp Glu Glu     #               190     - ACC TAT GCA ACA ACC ATC CAT GTA GTC TGC CA - #C TAC CCG AAA ATA AAC      623     Thr Tyr Ala Thr Thr Ile His Val Val Cys Hi - #s Tyr Pro Lys Ile Asn     #           205     - AAA ACT GAA GGA GAG CCG ATT TAC AAG GTA GG - #G ACA CCA TGC GAC GAT      671     Lys Thr Glu Gly Glu Pro Ile Tyr Lys Val Gl - #y Thr Pro Cys Asp Asp     #       220     - TGC AGT GAA TAC ACA AAA AAA GCA GAC AAT AC - #C ACG TCT GCG GAT CCG      719     Cys Ser Glu Tyr Thr Lys Lys Ala Asp Asn Th - #r Thr Ser Ala Asp Pro     #   235     - GTG TGT ATT CCG GAT GAC GGA GTC TGC TTT AT - #T GGC TCG AAA GCC GAT      767     Val Cys Ile Pro Asp Asp Gly Val Cys Phe Il - #e Gly Ser Lys Ala Asp     240                 2 - #45                 2 - #50                 2 -     #55     - TAC GAT AGC AAG GAG TTT TAT CGA TTC CGA GA - #G TTA TGAATAAGTC      813     Tyr Asp Ser Lys Glu Phe Tyr Arg Phe Arg Gl - #u Leu     #               265     #            864AAGTCAA GCAAGCAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA A     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    97:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            868NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  2...817     #97:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #GGC ATA GCT CAC TCC AAT     49 GCC ATT GCT       Ala Tyr Leu Val Val Leu Ile Ala Ile A - #la Gly Ile Ala His Ser Asn     #15     - GAA CAC AAC CTG AGG TGC CCG CAG AAT GGA AC - #A GAA ATG CCC GAT TTC       97     Glu His Asn Leu Arg Cys Pro Gln Asn Gly Th - #r Glu Met Pro Asp Phe     #            30     - AAC GAC TCG ATT AGG CTT CAA TTT TTA GCA AT - #G CAC AAT GGT TAC AGA      145     Asn Asp Ser Ile Arg Leu Gln Phe Leu Ala Me - #t His Asn Gly Tyr Arg     #        45     - TCA AAA CTT GCG CTA GGT CAC ATC AGC ATA AC - #T GAA GAA TCC GAA AGT      193     Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu Gly His Ile Ser Ile Th - #r Glu Glu Ser Glu Ser     #    60     - GAC GAT GAT GAC GAT TTC GGT TTT TTA CCC GA - #T TTC GCT CCA AGG GCA      241     Asp Asp Asp Asp Asp Phe Gly Phe Leu Pro As - #p Phe Ala Pro Arg Ala     #80     - TCG AAA ATG AGA TAT CTG GAA TAT GAC TGT GA - #A GCT GAA AAA AGC GCC      289     Ser Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr Asp Cys Gl - #u Ala Glu Lys Ser Ala     #                95     - TAC ATG TCG GCT AGA AAT TGC TCG GAC AGT TC - #T TCT CCA CCA GAG GGC      337     Tyr Met Ser Ala Arg Asn Cys Ser Asp Ser Se - #r Ser Pro Pro Glu Gly     #           110     - TAC GAT GAA AAC AAG TAT ATT TTC GAA AAC TC - #A AAC AAT ATC AGT GAA      385     Tyr Asp Glu Asn Lys Tyr Ile Phe Glu Asn Se - #r Asn Asn Ile Ser Glu     #       125     - GCT GCT CTG AAG GCC ATG ATC TCG TGG GCA AA - #A GAG GCT TTC AAC CTA      433     Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala Met Ile Ser Trp Ala Ly - #s Glu Ala Phe Asn Leu     #   140     - AAT AAA ACA GAA GAA GGA GAA GGA GTT CTG TA - #C CGG TCG AAC CAC GAC      481     Asn Lys Thr Glu Glu Gly Glu Gly Val Leu Ty - #r Arg Ser Asn His Asp     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - ATA TCA AAC TTC GCT AAT CTG GCT TGG GAC GC - #G CGT GAA AAG TTT GGT      529     Ile Ser Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp Al - #a Arg Glu Lys Phe Gly     #               175     - TGC GCA GTT GTT AAC TGC CCT TTG GGA GAA AT - #C GAT GAT GAA ACC ATC      577     Cys Ala Val Val Asn Cys Pro Leu Gly Glu Il - #e Asp Asp Glu Thr Ile     #           190     - CAT GAT GGA GAA ACC TAT GCA ACA ACC ATC CA - #T GTA GTC TGC CAC TAC      625     His Asp Gly Glu Thr Tyr Ala Thr Thr Ile Hi - #s Val Val Cys His Tyr     #       205     - CCG AAA ATA AAC AAA ACT GAA GGA CAG CCG AT - #T TAC AAG GTA GGG ACA      673     Pro Lys Ile Asn Lys Thr Glu Gly Gln Pro Il - #e Tyr Lys Val Gly Thr     #   220     - CCA TGC GAC GAT TGC AGT GAA TAC ACA AAA AA - #A GCA GAC AAT ACC ACG      721     Pro Cys Asp Asp Cys Ser Glu Tyr Thr Lys Ly - #s Ala Asp Asn Thr Thr     225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -     #40     - TCT GCG GAT CCG GTG TGT ATT CCG GAT GAC GG - #A GTC TGC TTT ATT GGC      769     Ser Ala Asp Pro Val Cys Ile Pro Asp Asp Gl - #y Val Cys Phe Ile Gly     #               255     - TCG AAA GCC GAT TAC GAT AGC AAG GAG TTT TA - #T CGA TTC CGA GAG TTA      817     Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Asp Ser Lys Glu Phe Ty - #r Arg Phe Arg Glu Leu     #           270     #            868ACGTATA AAGAAGTCAA GCAAGCAAAA AAAAAAAAAA A     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    98:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            884NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  1...822     #98:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - ATG GAG GCC TAT CTT GTG GTC TTA ATT GCC AT - #T GCT GGC ATA GCT CAC       48     Met Glu Ala Tyr Leu Val Val Leu Ile Ala Il - #e Ala Gly Ile Ala His     #                15     - TCC AAT GAA CAC AAC CTG AGG TGC CCG CAG AA - #T GGA ACA GAA ATG CCC       96     Ser Asn Glu His Asn Leu Arg Cys Pro Gln As - #n Gly Thr Glu Met Pro     #            30     - GAT TTC AAC GAC TCG ATT AGG CTT CAA TTT TT - #A GCA ATG CAC AAT GGT      144     Asp Phe Asn Asp Ser Ile Arg Leu Gln Phe Le - #u Ala Met His Asn Gly     #        45     - TAC AGA TCA AAA CTT GCG CTA GGT CAC ATC AG - #C ATA ACT GAA GAA TCC      192     Tyr Arg Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu Gly His Ile Se - #r Ile Thr Glu Glu Ser     #    60     - GAA AGT GAC GAT GAT GAC GAT TTC GGT TTT TT - #A CCC GAT TTC GCT CCA      240     Glu Ser Asp Asp Asp Asp Asp Phe Gly Phe Le - #u Pro Asp Phe Ala Pro     #80     - AGG GCA TCG AAA ATG AGA TAT CTG GAA TAT GA - #C TGT GAA GCT GAA AAA      288     Arg Ala Ser Lys Met Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr As - #p Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys     #                95     - AGC GCC TAC ATG TCG GCT AGA AAT TGC TCG GA - #C AGT TCT TCT CCA CCA      336     Ser Ala Tyr Met Ser Ala Arg Asn Cys Ser As - #p Ser Ser Ser Pro Pro     #           110     - GAG GGC TAC GAT GAA AAC AAG TAT ATT TTC GA - #A AAC TCA AAC AAT ATC      384     Glu Gly Tyr Asp Glu Asn Lys Tyr Ile Phe Gl - #u Asn Ser Asn Asn Ile     #       125     - AGT GAA GCT GCT CTG AAG GCC ATG ATC TCG TG - #G GCA AAA GAG GCT TTC      432     Ser Glu Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala Met Ile Ser Tr - #p Ala Lys Glu Ala Phe     #   140     - AAC CTA AAT AAA ACA GAA GAA GGA GAA GGA GT - #T CTG TAC CGG TCG AAC      480     Asn Leu Asn Lys Thr Glu Glu Gly Glu Gly Va - #l Leu Tyr Arg Ser Asn     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - CAC GAC ATA TCA AAC TTC GCT AAT CTG GCT TG - #G GAC GCG CGT GAA AAG      528     His Asp Ile Ser Asn Phe Ala Asn Leu Ala Tr - #p Asp Ala Arg Glu Lys     #               175     - TTT GGT TGC GCA GTT GTT AAC TGC CCT TTG GG - #A GAA ATC GAT GAT GAA      576     Phe Gly Cys Ala Val Val Asn Cys Pro Leu Gl - #y Glu Ile Asp Asp Glu     #           190     - ACC ATC CAT GAT GGA GAA ACC TAT GCA ACA AC - #C ATC CAT GTA GTC TGC      624     Thr Ile His Asp Gly Glu Thr Tyr Ala Thr Th - #r Ile His Val Val Cys     #       205     - CAC TAC CCG AAA ATA AAC AAA ACT GAA GGA CA - #G CCG ATT TAC AAG GTA      672     His Tyr Pro Lys Ile Asn Lys Thr Glu Gly Gl - #n Pro Ile Tyr Lys Val     #   220     - GGG ACA CCA TGC GAC GAT TGC AGT GGA TAC AC - #A AAA AAA GCA GAC AAT      720     Gly Thr Pro Cys Asp Asp Cys Ser Gly Tyr Th - #r Lys Lys Ala Asp Asn     225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -     #40     - ACC ACG TCT GCG GAT CCG GTG TGT ATT CCG GA - #T GAC GGA GTC TGC TTT      768     Thr Thr Ser Ala Asp Pro Val Cys Ile Pro As - #p Asp Gly Val Cys Phe     #               255     - ATT GGC TCG AAA GCC GAT TAC GAT AGC AAG GA - #G TTT TAT CGA TTC CGA      816     Ile Gly Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Asp Ser Lys Gl - #u Phe Tyr Arg Phe Arg     #           270     - GAG TTA TGAATAAGTC GAGACGTATA AAGAAGTCAA GCAAGCAAAA AA - #AAAAAAAA      872     Glu Leu     #      884     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    99:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            888NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  1...810     #99:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - ATG GAG GCC TAT CTT GTG GTC TTA ATT GCC AT - #T GCT GGC ATA GCT CAC       48     Met Glu Ala Tyr Leu Val Val Leu Ile Ala Il - #e Ala Gly Ile Ala His     #                15     - TCC AAT GAA CAC AAC CTG ACG TGC CCG CAG AA - #T GGA ACA GAA ATG CCC       96     Ser Asn Glu His Asn Leu Thr Cys Pro Gln As - #n Gly Thr Glu Met Pro     #            30     - GGT TTC AAC GAC TCG ATT AGA CTT CAG TTT TT - #A GCA ATG CAC AAT GGT      144     Gly Phe Asn Asp Ser Ile Arg Leu Gln Phe Le - #u Ala Met His Asn Gly     #        45     - TAC AGA TCG AAA CTT GCG CTA GGT CAC ATC AG - #C ATA ACT GAC GAA TCC      192     Tyr Arg Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu Gly His Ile Se - #r Ile Thr Asp Glu Ser     #    60     - GAA TCC GAA AGT GAC GAT GAA TAC GAT TAT TG - #G TAC GCT CCA ACG GCA      240     Glu Ser Glu Ser Asp Asp Glu Tyr Asp Tyr Tr - #p Tyr Ala Pro Thr Ala     #80     - TAC GCT CCA ACG GCA TCG AAA ATG AGA TAT CT - #A GAA TAT GAC TGT GAA      288     Tyr Ala Pro Thr Ala Ser Lys Met Arg Tyr Le - #u Glu Tyr Asp Cys Glu     #                95     - GCT GAA AAA AGC GCC TAC ATG TCG GCT AGA AA - #T TGC TCG GAC AGT TCT      336     Ala Glu Lys Ser Ala Tyr Met Ser Ala Arg As - #n Cys Ser Asp Ser Ser     #           110     - TCT CCA CCA GAG GGC TAC GAT GAA AAC AAG TA - #T ATT TTC GAA AAC TCA      384     Ser Pro Pro Glu Gly Tyr Asp Glu Asn Lys Ty - #r Ile Phe Glu Asn Ser     #       125     - AAC AAT ATC AGT GAA GCT GCT CTG AAG GCC AT - #G ATC TCG TGG GCA AAA      432     Asn Asn Ile Ser Glu Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala Me - #t Ile Ser Trp Ala Lys     #   140     - GAG GCT TTC AAC CTA AAT AAA ACA GAA GAA GG - #A GAA GGA GTT CTG TAC      480     Glu Ala Phe Asn Leu Asn Lys Thr Glu Glu Gl - #y Glu Gly Val Leu Tyr     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - CGG TCG AAC CAC GAC ATA TCA AAC TTC GCT AA - #T CTG GCT TGG GAC ACG      528     Arg Ser Asn His Asp Ile Ser Asn Phe Ala As - #n Leu Ala Trp Asp Thr     #               175     - CGT GAA AAG TTT GGT TGC GCA GTT GTT AAC TG - #C CCT TTG GGA GAA ATC      576     Arg Glu Lys Phe Gly Cys Ala Val Val Asn Cy - #s Pro Leu Gly Glu Ile     #           190     - GAT GGA ACA ACC ATC GAT GAT GGA GAA ACC TA - #T GCA ACA ACC ATC CAT      624     Asp Gly Thr Thr Ile Asp Asp Gly Glu Thr Ty - #r Ala Thr Thr Ile His     #       205     - GTA GTC TGC CAC TAC CCG AAA ATG AAC AAA AC - #T GAA GGA GAA CCG ATT      672     Val Val Cys His Tyr Pro Lys Met Asn Lys Th - #r Glu Gly Glu Pro Ile     #   220     - TAC AAG GTA GGG AAA CCA TGC CGA GAT TGC AG - #T GAA TAC CCA GAA AAA      720     Tyr Lys Val Gly Lys Pro Cys Arg Asp Cys Se - #r Glu Tyr Pro Glu Lys     225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -     #40     - GTA GCC AAT ACC ACA CAA TGT CAT CCA GAT GT - #C GGG GTC TGC TTT ATT      768     Val Ala Asn Thr Thr Gln Cys His Pro Asp Va - #l Gly Val Cys Phe Ile     #               255     - GGC TCG AAA GCC GAT TAC GAT AGC AAG GAG TT - #T TAT CGA TTT TGAGAGTTAT      820     Gly Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Asp Ser Lys Glu Ph - #e Tyr Arg Phe     #           270     - GAATAAGTCG AGACGTATAA AGAAGTCAAG CAAGCAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AA - #AAAAAAAA      880     #         888     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    100:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            799NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  2...736     #100: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     #GCT GGC ATA GCT CAC GCC     49 GCT GCC ATC       Lys Ser Tyr Leu Val Val Leu Ala Ala I - #le Ala Gly Ile Ala His Ala     #15     - AAT GAA CAC GAC CCA ACG TGT CCG CAG AAT GA - #A GTA GAA ATG GAG AAA       97     Asn Glu His Asp Pro Thr Cys Pro Gln Asn Gl - #u Val Glu Met Glu Lys     #            30     - GGT TTC GAC GAC GCA ATG AGG CTC AAA TTT TT - #G GCA CTG CAC AAT GGT      145     Gly Phe Asp Asp Ala Met Arg Leu Lys Phe Le - #u Ala Leu His Asn Gly     #        45     - TAC AGA TCG AAA CTT GCG CTA GGT CAC GTC AG - #C ATA ACT GAA GAA TCC      193     Tyr Arg Ser Lys Leu Ala Leu Gly His Val Se - #r Ile Thr Glu Glu Ser     #    60     - GAA GAT TAC GAT CTC TAC GAT TTA TTG TAC GC - #A CCA ACG GCA TCG AAA      241     Glu Asp Tyr Asp Leu Tyr Asp Leu Leu Tyr Al - #a Pro Thr Ala Ser Lys     #80     - ATG AGA TAT CTG GAA TAT GAT TGT GAA GCC GA - #A AAA AGC GCC TAC GAA      289     Met Arg Tyr Leu Glu Tyr Asp Cys Glu Ala Gl - #u Lys Ser Ala Tyr Glu     #                95     - TCG GCT AAA AAA TGC CAG ACC ACT GCC TTT TC - #A TCG ACG AAA TAC GAC      337     Ser Ala Lys Lys Cys Gln Thr Thr Ala Phe Se - #r Ser Thr Lys Tyr Asp     #           110     - GAA AAC CTG CAA GTT ATC GAG GAC CCA AGG GA - #T ATC AAT CAT GCT GCT      385     Glu Asn Leu Gln Val Ile Glu Asp Pro Arg As - #p Ile Asn His Ala Ala     #       125     - CTG AAG GCC ATT ATC TCG TGG GCA ACA GAG GC - #T TTC AAC CTA AAT AAA      433     Leu Lys Ala Ile Ile Ser Trp Ala Thr Glu Al - #a Phe Asn Leu Asn Lys     #   140     - ACA GGA GAA GGA GTT GTG TAC CGG TCG ATC CT - #C AAC ATA TCA AAC TTC      481     Thr Gly Glu Gly Val Val Tyr Arg Ser Ile Le - #u Asn Ile Ser Asn Phe     145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -     #60     - GCT AAT CTG GCT TGG GAC ACC CGT GAA AAG GT - #T GGA TGC GCA GTT GTT      529     Ala Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp Thr Arg Glu Lys Va - #l Gly Cys Ala Val Val     #               175     - AAG TGC CCT TCG GGA AAC ACC CAC GTA GTC TG - #C CAC TAC CCA AAA ATA      577     Lys Cys Pro Ser Gly Asn Thr His Val Val Cy - #s His Tyr Pro Lys Ile     #           190     - GTC AAG AAG GAA GGA AAA CCA ATT TAC TCC AT - #T GGC AAA CCG TGC CGC      625     Val Lys Lys Glu Gly Lys Pro Ile Tyr Ser Il - #e Gly Lys Pro Cys Arg     #       205     - GGT TGC AAT GAT TAC GCA AGC AAA TTC TTC TG - #T CAC GCC GAT GAG GGA      673     Gly Cys Asn Asp Tyr Ala Ser Lys Phe Phe Cy - #s His Ala Asp Glu Gly     #   220     - GTT TGC ATT ATC GCC TCT CGA GAC CTC GAC AT - #T TAC GGC CGC AAG AAA      721     Val Cys Ile Ile Ala Ser Arg Asp Leu Asp Il - #e Tyr Gly Arg Lys Lys     225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -     #40     - TAT TTT TAT CCG TTT CGA GAG CTA TAACTAACTC AG - #GTTGTATA AAGAAGTTAA      775     Tyr Phe Tyr Pro Phe Arg Glu Leu                     245     #               799AAAA AAAA     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    101:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            797NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  3...725     #101: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - TA GCT ACC ATC GCT GGC ATA GCT CAC GCC AAT - # GAA CAC GAC CCA ACG       47     #Asn Glu His Asp Pro Thr Ile Ala His Ala     # 15     - TGT CCG CAG AAT GGA GAA AAA ATG GAG AAA GG - #T TTC GAC GAC GCA ATG       95     Cys Pro Gln Asn Gly Glu Lys Met Glu Lys Gl - #y Phe Asp Asp Ala Met     #                30     - AGG CTC AAA TTT TTG GCA CTG CAC AAT GGT TA - #C AGA TCG AGA CTT GCG      143     Arg Leu Lys Phe Leu Ala Leu His Asn Gly Ty - #r Arg Ser Arg Leu Ala     #            45     - CTA GGT CAC GTC AGC ATA ACT GAA GAA TCC GA - #A GAT TAC GAT CTC TAC      191     Leu Gly His Val Ser Ile Thr Glu Glu Ser Gl - #u Asp Tyr Asp Leu Tyr     #        60     - GAT TTA TTG TAC GCG CCA ACG GCA TCA AAA AT - #G AGA TAT CTG AAA TAC      239     Asp Leu Leu Tyr Ala Pro Thr Ala Ser Lys Me - #t Arg Tyr Leu Lys Tyr     #    75     - GAC TGT GAA GCC GAA AAA AGC GCC TAC GAA TC - #G GCT AAA AAA TGC CAG      287     Asp Cys Glu Ala Glu Lys Ser Ala Tyr Glu Se - #r Ala Lys Lys Cys Gln     #95     - ACC ACT GCC TTT TCA TGG GAG AAA TAT GAT GA - #A AAC CTG CAA GTT ATC      335     Thr Thr Ala Phe Ser Trp Glu Lys Tyr Asp Gl - #u Asn Leu Gln Val Ile     #               110     - GAG GAC CCA AGG GAT ATC AAT CAT GCT GCT CT - #G AAG GCC ATT ATC TCG      383     Glu Asp Pro Arg Asp Ile Asn His Ala Ala Le - #u Lys Ala Ile Ile Ser     #           125     - TGG GCA ACA GAG GCT TTC AAC CTA AAT AAA AC - #A GGA GAA GGA GTT GTG      431     Trp Ala Thr Glu Ala Phe Asn Leu Asn Lys Th - #r Gly Glu Gly Val Val     #       140     - TAC CGG TCG ATC CTC AAC ATA TCA AAC TTC GC - #T AAT CTG GCT TGG GAC      479     Tyr Arg Ser Ile Leu Asn Ile Ser Asn Phe Al - #a Asn Leu Ala Trp Asp     #   155     - ACT CGT GAA AAG GTT GGA TGC GCA GTT GTT AA - #G TGC TCT CCG AGA ACC      527     Thr Arg Glu Lys Val Gly Cys Ala Val Val Ly - #s Cys Ser Pro Arg Thr     160                 1 - #65                 1 - #70                 1 -     #75     - ACC CAT GTA GTC TGT CAC TAC CCA AAA ATA GT - #G GAA AAG GAA GGA AAA      575     Thr His Val Val Cys His Tyr Pro Lys Ile Va - #l Glu Lys Glu Gly Lys     #               190     - CCA ATT TAC ACC ACT GGC GTG CCG TGC CGC GG - #T TGC AGT GGT TAC GCA      623     Pro Ile Tyr Thr Thr Gly Val Pro Cys Arg Gl - #y Cys Ser Gly Tyr Ala     #           205     - AAC AAA TTC TTC TGT CAC GCC GAT GAG GGA GT - #T TGC ATT ATC GCC TCT      671     Asn Lys Phe Phe Cys His Ala Asp Glu Gly Va - #l Cys Ile Ile Ala Ser     #       220     - CGA GAC CTC GAC ATT TAC GGC CGC AAG AAA TA - #T TTT TAT CCG TTT CGA      719     Arg Asp Leu Asp Ile Tyr Gly Arg Lys Lys Ty - #r Phe Tyr Pro Phe Arg     #   235     - GAG TTA TAACTAACTC AGGTTGTATA AACAAGTTAA GCAAGCAAGT AA - #ATCTTTCG      775     Glu Leu     240     #                797AAA AA     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    102:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            765NGTH:     #              NUCLEIC ACID     #        SINGLETRANDEDNESS:     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       NUCLEICCULE TYPE:     -     (ix) FEATURE:     #Sequence (A) NAME/KEY:  Coding               (B) LOCATION:  10...723     #102: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - GAATTCCGG TTG GCC ACC CTT GGC ATT GCT CTG GTC - # AAA GGA GAC GAA CCA       51     #Ile Ala Leu Val Lys Gly Asp Glu Pro     #        10     - ACG TGC AAG CAG AAT AAT GGA AGC ATG ACT AA - #C GAG TTG AGG CGT AGA       99     Thr Cys Lys Gln Asn Asn Gly Ser Met Thr As - #n Glu Leu Arg Arg Arg     # 30     - TTC TTG AGA CTG CAC AAT GGC TAC AGA TCG AT - #T CTT GCG CTA GGT CAT      147     Phe Leu Arg Leu His Asn Gly Tyr Arg Ser Il - #e Leu Ala Leu Gly His     #                45     - GTC AAC ATA AGT GAA GAG TCA AAT GAA ACT TT - #C TTG TAC GCT CAT CGA      195     Val Asn Ile Ser Glu Glu Ser Asn Glu Thr Ph - #e Leu Tyr Ala His Arg     #            60     - GCT TCG AGA ATG AGA ATT CTG GAC TAC GAC TG - #T GAC GCC GAA GGA AGT      243     Ala Ser Arg Met Arg Ile Leu Asp Tyr Asp Cy - #s Asp Ala Glu Gly Ser     #        75     - GCT TAC GAG TCA GCT ATC AAA CAA TGC TCG AG - #C AAT AAG TCT TCA TCT      291     Ala Tyr Glu Ser Ala Ile Lys Gln Cys Ser Se - #r Asn Lys Ser Ser Ser     #    90     - GCT GAA TAC GAT GAA AAC GTG TAT GTT ATC GA - #C AAT ACA TAT GAA GAT      339     Ala Glu Tyr Asp Glu Asn Val Tyr Val Ile As - #p Asn Thr Tyr Glu Asp     #110     - GAG GTT GAC CCT GCT TTA AAG GCC ATC AGC TC - #G TGG ACA AGC CAG GCT      387     Glu Val Asp Pro Ala Leu Lys Ala Ile Ser Se - #r Trp Thr Ser Gln Ala     #               125     - TTC AAC CTT ACT CAT GCA GAA GAA GGG ATT CC - #G TAC CAG TGG AAC GAC      435     Phe Asn Leu Thr His Ala Glu Glu Gly Ile Pr - #o Tyr Gln Trp Asn Asp     #           140     - AGC GTA TCG GAT TTT GCC AAT GTG GCT TGG GA - #T GCT CGT GAG AAG CTT      483     Ser Val Ser Asp Phe Ala Asn Val Ala Trp As - #p Ala Arg Glu Lys Leu     #       155     - GGA TGT GCA GTT GTT ACG TGC GAC CAG GGA AA - #C ACC ACC CAT GTA GTC      531     Gly Cys Ala Val Val Thr Cys Asp Gln Gly As - #n Thr Thr His Val Val     #   170     - TGC CAC TAT GGA CCG AAA GCA GCA AAC AAA AC - #A GAA CCA ATT TAC AAG      579     Cys His Tyr Gly Pro Lys Ala Ala Asn Lys Th - #r Glu Pro Ile Tyr Lys     175                 1 - #80                 1 - #85                 1 -     #90     - GTT GGC GTT CCA TGT TCA AAC TGC ACT GAA TA - #C ACA CGT GGC GAT GAA      627     Val Gly Val Pro Cys Ser Asn Cys Thr Glu Ty - #r Thr Arg Gly Asp Glu     #               205     - GAG AAA GTC TTC TGT CAC GCG GAT GAG GGA GT - #C TGC GTT ATT AAT CTG      675     Glu Lys Val Phe Cys His Ala Asp Glu Gly Va - #l Cys Val Ile Asn Leu     #           220     - CGA GAT CTT AAC AGT CAT CTT AAT ACG TCA CT - #C CGT TAT CCA CCT ATC      723     Arg Asp Leu Asn Ser His Leu Asn Thr Ser Le - #u Arg Tyr Pro Pro Ile     #       235     # 765              ATGT TGAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AA     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:    103:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            4 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #103: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Met Asn Glu His     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:  104:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #            5 AMINO ACIDS     #              AMINO ACID     #           LINEARLOGY:     #       PEPTIDECULE TYPE:     #104: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     - Asn Glu His Asp Pro     1               5     __________________________________________________________________________ 

We claim:
 1. A mutant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor comprising the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 8 SEQ ID NO.82!, wherein one or more of asparagine residues at positions 10, 18, 87, 110, 130, 197 or 223 is replaced by a glutamine residue.
 2. A mutant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of claim 1, further characterized as having neutrophil inhibitory activity.
 3. A mutant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of claim 2, wherein said neutrophil inhibiting activity is demonstrated by an assay selected from the group consisting of assays which determine adhesion of neutrophils to vascular endothelial cells, release of hydrogen peroxide from neutrophils, homotypic neutrophil aggregation and adhesion of neutrophils to plastic surfaces.
 4. A mutant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of claim 3, further characterized as having an IC₅₀ for inhibiting neutrophil activity of about 500 nM or less.
 5. A mutant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of claim 4, further characterized by having ability to bind to the integrin complex, CD11b/CD18.
 6. A Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of claim 4 further characterized by having ability to bind to a recombinant peptide comprising the I-domain of the integrin complex, CD11b/CD18.
 7. A mutant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of claim 1, further characterized as having eosinophil inhibiting activity.
 8. A mutant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of claim 7, wherein said eosinophil inhibiting activity is demonstrated by an assay which determines adhesion of eosinophils to vascular endothelial cells.
 9. A mutant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor of claim 8, further characterized as having an IC₅₀ for inhibiting eosinophil activity of about 500 nM or less. 